Fear of things Nuclear

[William R McLain <wrmclain@nwrain.com>]

I joined this list about a month ago and I have been following the various
comments regarding risk and fear of exposure to nuclear power.  I thought
that I would add a few comments from my perspective.

After about thirteen years in nuclear power, I left to come to work here in
Tacoma.  I used to be a Health Physics Technician and I have worked at
various nuclear plants, ending with a position at the Washington Public
Power Supply System's plant 2.  I currently work for the City of Tacoma as
an Environmental Systems Specialist in the Refuse Utility's Moderate Risk
Waste Program, dealing with hazardous waste issues.

As an Environmental Systems Specialist, we are required to have approved 40
hour training in Hazardous Materials Response Operations.  In addition, we
have to have annual 8 hour refresher training in Hazardous Waste Operations.
I have also had the opportunity to take related additional training.  It has
been surprising to me the fear that many people in this field have regarding
anything to do with radiation or even radioactive materials.

My first encounter with this was in my initial 40 hour training where we
were taught to handle and deal with almost any hazardous materials
incidents.  However, when it came to radioactive material, or anything
nuclear, it was best to leave this for the "experts".  I even remember the
instructor not having much knowledge regarding radiation and he made many
mistakes in trying to go through the section on radioactive materials.  One
mistake seemed to really stand out - although I don't recall the incident,
but it was something to do with high gamma radiation being indicative of a
criticality and that we should avoid at all costs.

In other courses, I have seen instructors use radiation or radioactive
material as a method to convey an extreme danger.  For example, in
describing a highly hazardous site, the instructor would add that the site
was also littered with radioactive material and reactor parts - this to
emphasis that this site was just that much more hazardous.  Of course, most
of the radioactive material that they would describe is what is allowed to
be shipped under DOT regulation - without shielding!

I have had contacts with individuals who are well versed in hazardous waste
and the regulations that cover it, but when it came to discussing anything
regarding nuclear, it would be as if their eyes would glass over and a great
fear would overwhelm them.  It really is incredible to see this
unsubstantiated fear they have regarding anything nuclear.

Personally, I can't understand this fear.  Especially when one has to deal
with all kinds of hazardous chemicals, many of which affect us in ways that
would scare the pants off any sane person.  I don't think we know all the
pathways of exposures, the effects, the critical organs, etc. of some of
these chemicals, and when one deals with unknown chemicals, the dangers are
compounded.  Some of this stuff will really kill you!  And yet, many people
would rather deal with this rather than anything radioactive, because as we
all know, radiation can kill you deader than dead.

I feel a lot more comfortable with radiation than I do with chemicals.  With
radiation, I pretty much understand how I am exposed and what that exposure
will do to me.  On the other hand, chemicals have that unknown factor about
them.  Chemicals can affect us in so many different ways that it is almost
impossible to predict what an exposure will do to you.  I can measure
radiation, and I can determine what type of radiation I am exposed to and I
know how much I have accumulated within my lifetime (occupational exposure).
With chemicals, I simply have no idea what my exposures are or even how much.

It is really hard to understand why so many people have this "fear" about
nuclear and yet are perfectly willing to accept higher risks with something
that is much more dangerous.  It doesn't seem that as Health Physics
professionals we have done much to educate the public about radiation.   
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
William R McLain
wrmclain@nwrain.com
Tacoma, Washington