RE: A "dirty bomb" question

["Flanigan, Floyd" <Floyd.Flanigan@nmcco.com>]

Jim,

I agree whole-heartedly. I believe the problem stems from this: There is little or no focus on anything beyond the absolute basic mechanics of nuclear physics presented in the standard pre-grad education. High school and two year college programs barely touch on the subject while movies and other mass media sets spend a great deal of resources mis-informing the general public with fantastic tales of glowing green goo and melting containment complexes. The degree of specialization which our forte enjoys comes at an unfortunate price. Without a HUGE outlay of resources on our part to counter-educate the public, I don't see much of a change in the near future.

 

Floyd W. Flanigan B.S.Nuc.H.P.



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

From: EMCTGA@AOL.COM [mailto:EMCTGA@AOL.COM]

Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2003 10:05 AM

To: LNMolino@AOL.COM; tedrock@starpower.net; radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu

Subject: Re: A "dirty bomb" question





There will be panic the minute anyone hears the words "radioactive", "radiation", or "nuclear"!  The public is still vastly under educated in respect to the nuclear world.  I have been working in the industry for over 50 years and still haven't convinced some members of my family that radiation is not dangerous and believe me I have worked at it.



Jim Harvey

Environmental Mangement and Controls

Turlock, CA

(209)667-1102