Re: European Communities and Radiation Exposure of Flight Crews

[David Scherer <scherer@uiuc.edu>]

>If I, as a health physicist, can constructively participate in having the
>public, flight attendants, regulators, whoever, understand what we
>currently know as the "truth" about radiation effects to humans, then I
>am willing, no, I have a duty to do so. 

I could not disagree more.  Samuel Johnston compared knowledge to a pocket
watch: it should used to provide the time when asked, but not taken out to
announce the hour to whomever may be pasing by.  This especially important
to the degree the "truth" is uncertain.

When it comes to government action, certainly we have a right to
participate (but I don't believe it's a duty).  Thus, commenting on OSHA or
FAA proposed rules would be appropriate.  This discussion was framed in
terms of labor unions developing an interest in the matter.

>I do not regard the issue of radiation exposure to flight crews as a 
>matter solely between management and labor in the airline industry.  

This may be this is the basic difference.  I don't view everything nuclear
as "ours."  I must also disagree with your interpretation of Dr. Raabe's
comments.  I believe RRS, not HPS,  is the premiere organization for
specialists in radiation health effects; HPS is the premiere organization
for radiation PROTECTION.  (I would appreciate reading Dr. Raabe's comments
on this distinction.)

>Both sides must know the "truth" and must be able to distinguish 
>between that and the lies that anti nuclear people tell, including the 
>untruths that some nonanti nuclear people permit to exist.

We certainly have a role to play in public education, promoting the "truth"
as we each see it.  I believe there are dangers in suggesting we have the
"truth" on a subject OUTSIDE our area of expertise when there does not
appear to be a consensus WITHIN the radiobiology community.  IMHO, if HPS
takes the lead in this area (possibly in opposition to RRS, NAS, etc.)
there is a grave risk that we will be viewed as lapdogs for the industry,
the nuclear equivalent of tobacco company toxicologists.  Our reputation is
our ONLY stock in trade; we should guard it carefully.

Dave Scherer
scherer@uiuc.edu