Re: Making the "radioactive" choice

[Bernard L Cohen <blc+@pitt.edu>]

	I most heartingly agree with the Damschen statement.

Bernard L. Cohen
Physics Dept.
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Tel: (412)624-9245
Fax: (412)624-9163
e-mail: blc+@pitt.edu


On Tue, 17 Dec 1996, DamschenGA wrote:

> I'm sorry, but I think the correct application of the principle would be to
> apply the "radioactive" option whenever it provides the greatest benefit at
> the lowest cost, not "when there is no 'non-radioactive' option available."
> 
> Each choice of a less cost-effective option over an equally effective lower
> cost option means someone dies sooner than they had to. Whether the option
> is "radioactive" or not is not relevant. Whether or not the option offers
> the most benefit at the lowest cost IS relevant. We do a disservice to
> ourselves, our fellow beings, and our profession when we advocate choosing
> otherwise.
> 
> Please note that "cost" includes the total "womb to tomb" expenses of the
> option.
> 
> This opinion is my own and has nothing to do with my employer.
> 
> Gary Damschen
> HP Training Manager
> damschenga@mkf.ornl.gov
> 
> >----------
> >From: 	Wieland@nepo1.iaea.or.at[SMTP:Wieland@nepo1.iaea.or.at]
> >Sent: 	Tuesday, December 17, 1996 8:54 AM
> >To: 	Multiple recipients of list
> >Subject: 	RE: One last comment on Irradiation
> >
> >
> >
> >Dear all,
> >
> >May I remind you of the internationally recommended basic principles of 
> >radiation protection.
> >In particular the justification of a practice, briefly:
> >
> >"A practice that entails or that could entail exposure to radiation should 
> >only be adopted if it yields sufficient benefit to exposed individuals or
> >to 
> >society to outweigh the radiation detriment it causes or could cause".
> >IAEA - SS n. 115,  1994
> >
> >This principle shall be taken into account by the national regulatory
> >bodies 
> >to authorize a practice  that entails or that could entail exposure to 
> >radiation.
> >
> >In other words, although food irradiation has a lot of known advantages, 
> >RADIATION SAFETY  has to be considered always. The practice should be 
> >adopted if it is suitable and there is no other "non-radioactive" option 
> >available.
> >
> >Patricia Wieland
> >IAEA
> >e-mail: wieland@nepo1.iaea.or.at
> >
> >
>