Re: New NRC Reg Guide for patient release

["Dale E. Boyce" <dale@radpro.uchicago.edu>]

Wes,

Yes, the reg guide gives latitude in the calculations, but says that
the records "should" still be kept if the activities or dose rates
exceed the table values, even if the results of the case sppecific
calculation shows a dose to the maximally exposed member of the public
to be less than 100 mRem.  

1) Why do the calculation if you exceed the table values?

2)  The new reg does not save 1 mRem to anyone compared to current practice.

3)  The patient is already given informed consent under current practice

4)  There is no benefit arising from the additional record keeping

5)  Why keep the record?

There has been considerable discussion in the past on the cost benefit
of various regulations.  This one may set the record IMHO with an
infinite cost per person-Rem saved >:->

If the informed consent is given and the patient has had the procedure
explained, the patient already knows to maximize distance and minimize
time in proximity to others.  Experimental data demonstrate that the
actual doses to individuals are less than that calculated using the
"intuitive" model in the reg guide.  We need to speak out when reality
differs from intuition.

Dale E. Boyce
dale@radpro.uchicago.edu