Re[2]: Children: rad exposure from Nuc Med patients -Reply

[Steven.Rima@DOEGJPO.COM (Steven Rima)]

     Only one question here... Without seeming inflamatory, why would 
     anyone do any kind of ALARA analysis for a 1 mrem exposure??? I would 
     say that if a child of any age would receive 1 mrem from seeing their 
     parent in the hospital, they should be allowed to without any kind of 
     ALARA analysis. We keep contradicting ourselves - we generally agree 
     that doses of this magnitude are not harmful and should not be 
     regulated in any way, but then we discuss the ALARA implications of 
     this same dose. Certainly doesn't help our credibility with the 
     public...
     
     Steven D. Rima, CHP
     Manager, Health Physics and Industrial Hygiene
     MACTEC-ERS, LLC
     steven.rima@doegjpo.com


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Children: rad exposure from Nuc Med patients -Reply
Author:  "Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@ix.netcom.com> at Internet
Date:    1/26/98 1:20 PM


Psychological factors have been considered to be valid in 
litigation. The fact that an agent could not have caused a physical 
problem is mitigated by the contention that the individual THOUGHT 
that the agent could have. While this may not seem logical, it has 
held up in some court jurisdictions.
     
The point below is well-taken. Some have taken ALARA to its extremes, 
and in so doing, has made a mockery of radiationm protection in 
general. If the experts take these extraordinary steps to limit 
radiation exposure, we can all kiss the move to overturn LNT goodbye. 
If we can't convince ourselves of what is truly risk, we will never be 
able to convince the workers who are around us, or, the general 
public. Time for reason to prevail.
     
> Dear Radsafe
> When applying the ALARA principle and the risk ( either positive 
> or negative ) associated with very low doses of radiation (a 1
> millrem dose recieved by a child visiting a mother) should the risks 
> associated by stress experienced by the child, who does not see the 
> parent, be factored into the equation). 
     
     
------------------
Sandy Perle
Technical Director
ICN Dosimetry Division
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Office: (800) 548-5100 x2306 
Fax:    (714) 668-3111
     
sandyfl@ix.netcom.com
sperle@icnpharm.com
     
ICN Dosimetry Website:
http://www.dosimetry.com
     
Personal Homepage:
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1205
     
"The object of opening the mind, as of opening 
the mouth, is to close it again on something solid"
              - G. K. Chesterton -