Re: Radiophobia

["ERIC GOLDIN" <goldinem@songs.sce.com>]

     I respectfully disagree with Dave Scherer's premises.  Radiation 
     is not perceived in the same light by the public as chemical 
     agents, nor is radiation given the break of: "tiny-amount => tiny 
     risk" concept as are most chemicals (isn't this the linear, 
     no-threshold hypothesis?).  Take a look at the charts on pages 
     62-63 of the UN publication "Radiation: Doses, Effects,Risks"  (a 
     truly excellent booklet for the layperson).  Those charts show 
     that the public (represented by students, women and businessmen) 
     view radiation from nuclear power as having the highest risk.  
     X-rays are lower on the scale, perhaps because X-rays are more 
     familiar and have a known medical benefit.  Pesticides (closest 
     risk to "chemicals") are ranked as being significantly lower 
     risks than nuclear power by women and businessmen (but still 
     pretty high by students - what are we teaching?)   I would 
     conclude from this study that radiation, at least that from 
     nuclear power, is perceived as being a significantly greater risk 
     than chemicals or most other activities.  Furthermore, most 
     people simply say that chemicals in tiny amounts pose little or 
     no risk, but radiation is to be avoided.  Everyone knows the hero 
     in the movie takes a little arsenic for years to become immune to 
     its effects, but deliberate exposure to radiation - no way.
     
     Opinion:  and this is only worth the electrons that provide it to 
     you, I agree with those who cite the past 30 or 40 years of 
     images as the basis for public fear.  With radiation 
     characterized as the means to create mutants and monsters in 
     movies and TV, fanned by a very effective anti-nuclear industry 
     which perpetuates the "one atom can kill" concept (for their own 
     livelihood), we're stuck with a couple of hundred million people 
     who believe any radiation is bad, at any level.   Solution: more 
     education from grade school up on all manner of risk 
     communication; and more openness on what we do and how 
     (acknowledge the outrage factor).
     
     Down from that soapbox,...   and disclaimed, of course....
     
     Eric Goldin
     goldinem@songs.sce.com