Re: Dose Correlation

[Mike Durham <mdurham@lsuvm.sncc.lsu.edu>]

To further drag this issue out, a four watt light bulb at 120 volts draws 33
milliamps.  This amount of current in the body will cause a serious shock, and
result in loss of muscle control. If it passes through the heart, it could cause
damage to the heart rythym, and possibly result in cardiac arrest as a result.
Maybe the 4 watt analogy is appropriate, but it can be scary to those who
understand the effects of electric current on the body.
Mike Durham, CSP, PE
LSU
Disclaimers apply.

Fulmer, Philip wrote:

> I use a similar comparison to give perspective as an introduction to
> radiation biology concepts.  The energy absorbed by the body during a
> 400 rad exposure is roughly equivalent to a sip of hot coffee at 60
> degrees C.  While we may scorch our lips or tongue, a sip of hot coffee
> isn't generally viewed as lethal.  That provides a perfect lead-in to
> the mechanism for radiation damage, which  depends on the spatial
> distribution of the energy as well as the total energy.  It's also a
> pretty good lead-in for discussing microdosimetry.
>
> While I can see the usefulness of these types of comparison for
> explaining biological effects to people with some previous knowledge of
> radiation, I'm still not sure how these comparisons helps the public
> understand radiation any better.  From a perspective of perceived
> biological risk, if 5 rem = 1 second of 4-watt light, then 400 rads  =
> 80 seconds of 4-watt light.  What does this mean?   While the energy
> comparison is valid, I doubt the public is interested in that aspect.
>
> Making more watts to light those 4-watt bulbs in the Carolinas.
>
> Philip
>
> __________________________
> Philip C. Fulmer, PhD, CHP
> Carolina Power & Light Company
> Harris Energy and Environmental Center
> 3932 New Hill-Holleman Road
> New Hill, NC 27562
> philip.fulmer@cplc.com
> (919) 362-3363
>
> >----------
> >From:  james kane[SMTP:jkane@siumed.edu]
> >Sent:  Thursday, September 24, 1998 2:43 PM
> >To:    Multiple recipients of list
> >Subject:       Dose Correlation
> >
> >In an older issue of RSO magazine, I found an article describing ways in
> >which to present and increase the public's understanding of radiation
> >topics. The author mentions a comparison to 5 rems of whole body dose as
> >equivalent to the amount of energy required to light a 4 watt night light
> >for 1 second.
> >
> >I find this an interesting analogy, but in what way might this be verified?
> >
> >James Kane
> >
> >
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