Re: Air Crew Rad Workers

[sandy_perle@email.fpl.com]

     While it is a fact that some crews might be exposed to enough 
     radiation exposure over a year due to a lot of flight time, there is 
     no justification to require monitoring the individual. There is no 
     Licensee which rules out the NRC. Other than restricting flight time 
     there is no reasonable method to reduce their time in flight, which is 
     already reduced by FAA requirements for other reasons. You're NOT 
     going to shield the plane and they're not going to wear protective 
     shielding either. As far as monitoring, if it were required, who is 
     going to be responsible for maintaining the dosimetry records? Who is 
     going to regulate it (as stated, there are many jurisdictions that are 
     involved). I for one would hope that the FAA act upon the many 
     recommendations they already have on their plate, and implement them, 
     such as upgraded flight air traffic control computer systems that 
     provide a better reliability factor, better and more frequent 
     inspections of the equipment that is in the air where these 
     individuals are exposed, installed wind shear equipment, more frequent 
     flight simulator training, implement the same safety requirements for 
     all aircraft that fly passengers, be they foreign or smaller US 
     airlines. In my opinion these are examples where the health and safety 
     of the crew, as well as the flying public, would be better served than 
     trying to maintain records of exposure, that we all agree is "most 
     likely" lower than monitoring required for radiation workers who are 
     exposed from activities that are "licensed", which flight crew 
     exposure is not.
     
     Sandy Perle
     Supervisor Health Physics
     Florida Power and Light Company
     
     (407) 694-4219 office
     (407) 694-3706 fax
     
     e-mail sandy_perle@email.fpl.com
     
     The opinions expressed are solely mine
     
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