Re[2]: dose-effect estimates vs privacy

[sandy_perle@email.fpl.com]

     We in the commercial nuclear power world are fortunate in that we do  
     have complete radiation histories for the majority of our workers. We 
     do NOT have other radiation exposure data, such as medical or 
     environmental exposure. In those cases where we are made aware of a 
     medical procedure, we can assume an estimated exposure, however, this 
     data is not included in the ALARA review prior to assigning a job 
     function. As Al suggested, this information would be of interest, 
     however I am not advocating that we embark on an epidemiological 
     nightmare. This has been suggested many times before, but the cost of 
     the study, balanced against not being able to capture other causes of 
     disease, would make the results questionable at best. The NRC has 
     considered this study, as well as further reduction of the regulatory 
     dose limits, but has elected not to at this time. WHY? Because the 
     older workforce, the group that has received the highest exposures 
     during the past several decades, had either passed on, or, have been 
     retiring. That means the current workforce for the most part is young, 
     and one that has a smaller manrem, collectively and individually. 
     Since the regulatory limit has been reduced, and, the licensees have 
     reduced their administrative limits even further, there doesn't appear 
     to be a real need to conduct this exhaustive epidemiological study. I 
     for one hope that it doesn't occur in my working life!
     
     Sandy Perle
     Supervisor Health Physics
     Florida Power and Light Company
     Nuclear Division
     
     (407) 694-4219 Office
     (407) 694-3706 Fax
     
     sandy_perle@email.fpl.com
     
     HomePage: http://www.lookup.com/homepages/54398/home.html


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: dose-effect estimates vs privacy
Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu at Internet-Mail
Date:    11/27/95 4:45 PM