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Re: Science and LNT



The 10CFR20 definition of ALARA is just fine - as long as I get to determine what is "reasonable", and what is "practical". When you make this determination, ALARA becomes a questionable concept, and when EPA makes the determination, ALARA stinks!     

                            Jerry





----- Original Message ----- 

From: William V Lipton <liptonw@DTEENERGY.COM>

To: Howard Long <hflong@pacbell.net>

Cc: John Jacobus <crispy_bird@YAHOO.COM>; <niton@mchsi.com>; <radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu>

Sent: Monday, September 29, 2003 5:10 AM

Subject: Re: Science and LNT





> See 10 CFR 20.1003:  "ALARA ... means making every REASONABLE effort to

> maintain exposures to radiation as far below the dose limits in this part AS IS

> PRACTICAL consistent with the purpose for which the licensed activity is

> undertaken, taking into account the state of technology , the economics of

> improvements in relation to state of technology, THE ECONOMICS OF IMPROVEMENTS

> IN RELATION TO BENEFITS to the public health and safety, and other societal and

> socioeconomic considerations, and and in relation to utilization of nuclear

> energy and licensed materials in the public interest." [emphasis mine]

> 

> Exactly what would you want changed, here?

> 

> The opinions expressed are strictly mine.

> It's not about dose, it's about trust.

> Curies forever.

> 

> Bill Lipton

> liptonw@dteenergy.com

> 

> Howard Long wrote:

> 

> > John,

> > Please answer the crucial question.

> > Why are radiation regulators allowed to neglect benefit, (2 way test) in

> > risk analysis?

> >

> > Errors of omission are just as serious as errors of commisssion!

> > It is time for HPs to lead changes in those "codified - exposure controls"!

> >

> > Howard Long

> >

> > ----- Original Message -----

> > From: "John Jacobus" <crispy_bird@yahoo.com>

> > To: "Howard Long" <hflong@pacbell.net>; <niton@mchsi.com>;

> > <radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu>

> > Sent: Friday, September 26, 2003 7:29 AM

> > Subject: Re: Science and LNT

> >

> > > Howard,

> > > Unfortunately, regulations are not medicine.  Issues

> > > like exposure controls, EPA decommission, etc. are

> > > codified.

> > >

> > > In medicine you have a wide latitude to make decisions

> > > on whether or not to operate.  You should be grateful

> > > you do have to deal with interpretation of regulations

> > > and periodic inspections.  (When was the last time

> > > inspections reviewed your records on how you treated

> > > your patients?)

> > >

> > > --- Howard Long <hflong@pacbell.net> wrote:

> > > > LNT is NOT "the best we can do today- unless that

> > > > possibility [it disproven]

> > > > were a virtual certainty".

> > > >

> > > > Do you have "virtual certainty" of safety when you

> > > > drive your car?

> > > >

> > > > What is the harm from NOT driving your car, or of

> > > > NOT having the now likely

> > > > benefit of 10 X the usual background radiation (less

> > > > cancer and better

> > > > longevity)?

> > > >

> > > > Is it prudent to not operate on appendicitis because

> > > > of the risk of surgery?

> > > > Sometimes.

> > > > Competent risk analysis requires the 2-tail test,

> > > > weighing BENEFIT against

> > > > harm and considering individual variation.

> > > >

> > > > . . .

> > >

> > > =====

> > > "Self-criticism is the secret weapon of democracy, and candor and

> > confession are good for the public soul."

> > > Adlai Stevenson

> > >

> > > -- John

> > > John Jacobus, MS

> > > Certified Health Physicist

> > > e-mail:  crispy_bird@yahoo.com

> > >

> > > __________________________________

> > > Do you Yahoo!?

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> > >

> >

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