Re: REGULATIONS FROM SCRATCH

[BLHamrick@aol.com]

In a message dated 96-06-26 11:21:57 EDT, Frank Gallagher wrote:

> Now, I get bored out of my mind reviewing vendor supplied dosimetry
>reports with pages and pages and pages of "Not Detected" data.  The problem
>(except for PET and some x-ray facilities) is no longer reducing doses to
>make them ALARA, but convincing workers of the need to return film badges on
>time even if the badges never show any exposures.  Instead of making real
>contributions to the safety of research, we have become radiation safety
>nags. 


I know exactly how you feel.  Trust me, it is no great pleasure, as a
regulator, to review hundreds of days of dose calibrator constancy tests (all
within +/- 5% of the expected value), or to examine page after page of
personnel monitoring results all reading "ND".  I firmly believe the
standards need to be revised to be more in concert with the real level of
risk.  We're way overdue for some significant changes.

This is my personal, heartfelt opinion.

Barbara L. Hamrick
Los Angeles County - Radiation Management
BLHamrick@aol.com