Re[2]: Radio-Phobia

[Mike.Ashland@gsbsc.gensig.com]

     Plutonium doesn't sound like the type of "breaking news" story the TV 
     news "magazines" like to do. It does sound like a job for Nova, 
     though.
     
     mike.ashland@gsbsc.gensig.com


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Radio-Phobia
Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu at Internet2
Date:    10/1/97 7:05 PM


     
     
     
PLUTONIUM - Ever since plutonium was branded, "The most toxic substance on 
earth," the fear of millions (especially the radio-phobic) is triggered at 
even the mention of plutonium for any technical application.  I understand 
that there are many substances that are much more toxic than plutonium. Has 
there ever been a non-technical, user friendly explanation to the public by 
a creditable nuclear professional putting the harmful properties of 
plutonium into perspective with the other harmful substances on earth that 
the public usually don't fear? Silence on this subject by nuclear 
professionals (us) will only continue to reinforce this label as being 
true!  I would like to see a treatise of this sort be the subject of a 
20-20 or 60 Minutes program to reduce this fear if the public would believe 
it.
     
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jreese@smtpgate.ddrw.dla.mil on 10/01/97 08:55:37 AM
     
Please respond to radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
     
     
To:   radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
cc:    (bcc: Theodore S Bohn/BST/LMITCO/INEEL/US) 
Subject:  Re: Radio-Phobia
     
     
     
     
     
     I'm suprised this is the first time you have run into such a 
     situation.  When I worked for reactors, this type of question was 
     common from those who lived "near" the plant.  I remember one lady who 
     routinely arrived at our Board of Director meetings and complained 
     that the spent fuel pool was really a place of us to experiment with 
     mutated fish.  Many times it does not matter what kind of assurance 
     you provide, it is not answer they want to hear so they do not believe 
     you.
     Take heart and do the best you can.  Try not to be a "technocrat" when 
     answering the questions.
     Jim Reese
     jreese@ddrw.dla.mil
     These are only my thoughts.
     
______________________________ Reply Separator 
_________________________________
Subject: Radio-Phobia
Author:  <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu > at SMTPGATE 
Date:    9/30/97 2:37 PM
     
RADSAFERs,
We just received a request to investigate an employee complaint.  Here's 
the email we got---
"A worker ... called and is concerned about the air quality.  Specifically 
she thinks there is radon and radiation in the air.  And the radiation is 
causing the air to be stuffy.  She is very concerned."
Is this a common occurrance at your facility?
I spoke directly with the person and even after assuring her that there was 
NOT a problem in her workplace, it left me with a feeling that she was NOT 
satisfied.  (We also had the IH staff visit her office and they are 
performing CO-2 and Temp/Humidity study.)
     
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