Re[2]: Low Doses?

[Ruth Weiner <rfweine@sandia.gov>]

A recent article in Nuclear News by Michael Osterheim cites "1 to 3 kG" as an 
"adequate margin of safety for common food-borne pathogens"  The auther calls 
this a low dose, but 100,00 to 300,00 rad doesn't sound "low.".  I don't know 
what "high" and "low" mean in this context. When food is cooked, the heat is 
certainly much higher that paople can comfortably (or uncomfortably) tolerate --
I burn myself if I touch a hot burner.  Why not just gove the dose and forget 
about characterizing it as high or low?


Ruth F. Weiner, Ph. D.
Transportation Systems Department
Sandia National Laboratories
Mail Stop 0718
P. O. Box 5800
Albuquerque, NM 87185-0718
505-844-4791
505-844-0244 (fax)
rfweine@sandia.gov


CLEARLY MY OWN OPINION AND NO ONE ELSE'S RESPONSIBILITY.
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Low Doses?
Author:  sandyfl@ix.netcom.com at hubsmtp
Date:    1/24/98 1:00 PM


No, you are NOT incorrect. The exposure output from the machine is 
extremely high, which is necessary to kill the bacteria present in 
the food. The exposure to the operators of the equipment, and to 
those around them is negligible. What I believe we are seeing in 
these articles and briefings was an attempt to minimize the radiation 
that is put forth, and in so doing, compromised what they were 
saying, all in an attempt to obtain public acceptance. If I am 
correct in my assumption, these types of statements only harm our 
credibility when we have to discuss radiation issues with the public. 
If I am incorrect in my assumption, then they were way off base with 
the comment that there are "low doses", since these articles and 
statements are not quite focused enough, and leave the details to the 
reader. THAT is a mistake. If one is going to communicate to the 
public, be open, be honest and give all of the facts. If not, don't 
say anything!
     
     
> I have seen a couple of articles recently, including ones our local newspaper 
> and in the January issue of Nuclear News which refer to the food irradiation 
> as "low doses".  I don't think we should refer to doses of several hundred
> thousand rads from cobalt as low doses.  Am I wrong? 
>
> Ted Allen, CHP
> Las Vegas, NV
>
>
------------------
Sandy Perle
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