Re: Radiation hormesis

[Bernard L Cohen <blc+@pitt.edu>]

	The discussion below misses the principal point,IMHO. If the
scientific community accepts hormesis and the public is so informed, I
believe that the public's fear of low level radiation will be greatly
reduced. The problem with the present situation is that the public
believes that any radiation is harmful, and it is that belief which causes
all the problems. If the public would really understand LNT
quantitatively, there wouldn't be any problems either. In my books, I
accept and use LNT, and everything comes out fine. The catch is that the
public does not consider things quantitatively, and qualitatively
low level radiation is bad according to LNT, but good according to
hormesis.

Bernard L. Cohen
Physics Dept.
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Tel: (412)624-9245
Fax: (412)624-9163
e-mail: blc+@pitt.edu


On Thu, 6 May 1999 GACarlson@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 5/6/99 11:04:29 AM EST, wattsa@oak.cats.ohiou.edu writes:
> 
> << What is critical is being educated on the beneficial/harmful levels. >>
> 
> So, let's ASSUME that we KNOW precisely at what level cumulative exposure 
> changes from a benefit (i.e., negative risk of excess cancer) to a detriment 
> (i.e., positive risk of excess cancer).  Then, the question remains:  How 
> does a facility assure that its contribution to that cumulative exposure 
> doesn't push one over that level?  
> 
> If a facility cannot assure their contribution does not result in exceeding 
> that benefit/detriment level (whatever that level is), on what basis should 
> that contribution be credited as "beneficial," i.e, as reducing the risk of 
> excess cancer?
> 
> Glenn
> GACarlson@aol.com
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