Of Hormesis & Things Linear

[Michael S Ford <MFORD@pantex.com>]

Whew!  This has turned into quite a bender!

LNT v. L

Glenn and Wes, I think Fritz's point was that "no threshold" means
that a relationship other than y=ax does not meet the intent of the
theory.  A relationship expressed as y = ax +/- b constitutes some
sort of threshold.

Hormesis and Regulations

I had used the step bench example some time ago to illustrate the
ludicrous nature of the COLLECTIVE DOSE concept that are, in fact,
used to drive the current rad regs (e.g., 25 mrem/yr).  Gregg is
correct that applying that example to an individual misses the mark.

Our current dilemma on how to resolve these is precisely as above,
however.  Because we base regulations more and more on the
pernicious (and WRONG) collective dose concept whereby all the
doses to a population are rolled into a few fictitious persons who
contract fatal cancers and die (e.g., populations around Chernobyl
(besides emergency workers), TMI, Mayak, EPA vs. NRC,
Brookhaven?).  And then we speak of those cancers as if they
happen to actual individuals.  Where are they?

On the other hand, hormesis happens to individuals, subject to
genetic variabilities.  Unfortunately for our policy folks, it's like a big
white elephant sitting in the corner of the room that nobody talks
about, but everyone sees.

I think the quote attributed to Paracelsus (1493-1541), Renaissance
physician and father of modern toxicology, goes something like
this:  "What is it that is not poison?  All things are poisonous and
nothing is poisonous.  Only the dose determines that a thing is not
poisonous."

How is it that the human body is so fragile that radiation doses
ranging from minor fractions of background to an order of
magnitude above it slowly combine to kill us all?  At 82?  Right,
Sandy?

I think not.  The human body prefers stress over isolation.  We exist
in a constant shower of radiant insults; our bodies require small
amounts of otherwise poisonous vitamins and minerals to function
properly.

Build yourself a shielded cave, filter out the radon, cut out the
radiation and let's talk compare notes in 10 years.  I'll bet you a decaf
coffee and soy burger that I'll be better off getting "zapped"!

Have a great day!
My own personal/non-corporate thoughts,
v/r
Michael
mford@pantex.com
TX Radiation Advisory Board
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