Re: RADON - Ecologic Studies -Reply

[Mike Grissom <mikeg@SLAC.Stanford.EDU>]

Radsafers,

Some years ago (Health Physics Aspects of Epidemiology,"
Albuerquerque, NM, 1983) an HPS Mid-year Symposium was
held on the general topic of radioepidemiology.  It was
an excellent meeting, though focused at that time on
Marshall Islanders and atomic veterans issues (which are
still issues, mind you) and Jerry Falo's suggestion below
(plus the activity and vehemence of positions on radsafe)
would seem to indicate that this subject's "time has come
again!"

Those epidemiologists who are now monitoring radsafe and
maybe some who aren't but who have been involved in
studies such as BEIR VI would be excellent speakers.  We
could then really hammer on the powers/weaknesses of case
control and ecological studies through a better fundamental
understanding of the abilities of epidemiological studies
to resolve anything!  If nothing else, it could make us
better able to knowledgeably comment on some of the studies
being flaunted in the news media or at least keep them in
more reasoned perspective.

A thought...

S.,

MikeG.

At 08:51 AM 3/4/98 -0600, you wrote:
>Hello All,
>     
>I don't know all the details of Dr. Cohen's study.  I'm not an 
>epidemiologist.  But I do know that no matter how powerful the 
>*ecologic study* is, Dr. Cohen's results can not be extended to
>all radiation under all conditions.
>
>All experiments are conditional in that they test for specific
>results under specific conditions.  I believe Dr. Cohen's study
>to be a powerful challenge to linearity for radon exposure and
>by implication radiation exposure to the lungs with lung cancer
>as the endpoint.
>
>As for data to disprove linearity, I don't believe that any one
>disputes that the studies are out there.  The dispute seems to
>be over the quality of the data.  I'm also afraid that I'm
>beginning to detect a *harshness* in the discussions that is
>unseemly.
>
>Also, I've noted a underlying theme that the LNT has caused
>public fear and political gridlock in dealing with radiation
>safety.  I would like to see some hard evidence of this.  My
>limited experience with public media indicates the most vocal
>opponents of radiation are not LNT supporters, but they seem
>to be followers of Gofman, Tamplin, Sternglass, Gould,
>Caldicott....and so on.  How many of the ICRP, NCRP, EPA, and
>so on do we see at protest marches and haranguing politicians.
>
>I for one appreciate the ongoing debate here on RADSAFE, and
>perhaps the HPS can organize a symposium and publish the
>proceedings that can be review in a more convenient form.
>
>     Jerry Falo
>     jer3ry@aol.com