Re: Another reminder? -Reply -Reply

[Charles Willis <CAW@nrc.gov>]

Jim,

There is surprisingly little disagreement in the technical community about the
overemphasis on radiation safety.  Had I any doubts, they would have been erased
by my experience in the Philippines.  Their nuclear power plant was practically
completed when we ran into the US Government's unwillingness to approve the
export of the reactor internals.  Ostensibly, the holdup was due to safety concerns
even though more Filipinos were killed every month by the lack of electricity then
there were Russians killed at Chernobyl.  Ultimately, the plant was never finished
and the Philippines continue to be tragically short of electricity.  

At every meeting of the interagency "Risk Harmonization" subcommittee we are
faced with this disparity in the efforts to protect against the various risks.  Finding
solutions is much more difficult than recognizing the problem.

In a democracy (as well as in the two dictatorships I have lived in) the Government
responds to public concern, or perhaps more accurately, to publicity.  The "Pure
Food and Drug Act" was more response to the outcry in the press than to the
abominable conditions in the meat packing plants, and so it has gone for this
century.  Changing regulatory patterns requires changing public attitudes and
efforts are being made, including trying to communicate with Congressmen and
their aids, responding to misinformation in the media, and teaching our K-12 school
teachers about radiation. It is a slow process but I believe progress is being made.

Charlie Willis
caw@nrc.gov
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