Re: Regulations from scratch-reply to Steve Hand

["Brian Rees" <brees@lanl.gov>]

I agree that the statement that low levels of exposure will not lead to 
stochastic effects is unwise (in a beginning radiation safety class).  
While I do agree with the statement, I would never make it part of a 
beginning class, it's just not something I want to try and defend in front 
of 12 people.  

With the (over 1,000) people I taught basic radiation safety to (with a 
prior employer), I always emphasized that there are risks associated with 
radiation exposure, then went on to explain and put risks and exposure 
levels in proper perspective.  Many of the students thanked me later for 
explaining radiation levels, risk models, and risk levels.  While this took 
about 1/2- 1 hour of a 4 hour class, I believe it was worth it, in that 
they went away doubting what the media was attempting to feed them (or at 
least armed with information instead of hyperbole). 

Once people understand that there is no activity free of risk, and low 
levels of risk are subject to enormous errors in estimation, all our 
defensive work will be simplified.

All the above opinions  are mine, and have no bearing on my employer.

Brian Rees
Los Alamos National Lab
505-667-9980
brees@lanl.gov