Re: Dealing with NJ's recent "hot" rock panic.

[hwade@triax.com (H. Wade Patterson)]

Jerry Morse wrote, in part:
> Under Colorado Health Department leadership and EPA sponsorship, we
> developed a 2-3 week curiculum explaining natural radiation to students
> at the middle school level across the state. 
> Our sponsors are considering extending the program beyond the state's
> borders, but are uncertain as how best to do it.
> Jerry Morse, Physics Dept., jmorse@slate.mines.edu

Jerry and all:

Let us hope that the curriculum can expand to develop and discuss the
meaning and implication of the UNSCEAR position on human response to
radiation exposure.

Here's a recent quote:

 UNSCEAR 94 says, in part,
" There are extremely high numbers of spontaneous mutations. There are
adaptive responses to radiation that, until they diminish with age, very
effectively prevent, repair, and remove spontaneous and environmental
mutations. Contrary to their suppression by high-dose radiation, these
responses are stimulated by low-dose radiation to function even more
effectively and decrease the risks of mortality and cancer."
(exerpted from United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of
Atomic Radiation. Sources and effects of ionizing radiation. 1994 Report
to the General Assembly, with scientific annexes. E.94.1X.11 New York
1994.)


Wade

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