RE: State of MD seeks to close local firm

[Glen.Vickers@ucm.com]

Perhaps there is more to the story than the one line we see concerning the
neutron dose.  That could just be one of many examples of mismanagement.  

Any of us would draw the ire of our regulators if we approached 90% of any
regualatory limit.  Were any compensatory actions taken before this point or
was it an unknown condition found during an audit?  Either way, I'm sure
everyone's facility has catch mechanisms that should kick before getting so
close to a limit.

I actually think the mention of the dose typically received during chest
x-rays actually provides balance to the story that the public can actually
relate to.  That one-liner is actually both the truth and best hysteria
prevention at the same time.

I don't think there is enough information here to say whether or not this
facility is being unfairly characterized.


Sincerely,
Glen Vickers
glen.vickers@ucm.com

	-----Original Message-----
	From:	William D. Ulicny [SMTP:wulicny@atlintl.com]
	Sent:	Wednesday, June 16, 1999 10:44 AM
	To:	Multiple recipients of list
	Subject:	RE: State of MD seeks to close local firm

	The funny thing is, they are still below the limits!  Maybe it isn't
ALARA, but I am sure the regulators and the Washington Post don't want to
have to explain THAT one.

	Bill Ulicny
	wulicny@atlintl.com

	> In an affidavit, the state said that "even Neutron estimates that
one of its
	> neighbors receives 86 to 93 millirems per year from Neutron, or 86
to 93 percent
	> of the limit. The average chest X-ray is between 10 and 20
millirems." 

	Bound to happen .. linkage of "limits" to what is considered "safe".

	These are not synonymous terms. Can't blame the public on this one. 
	If the regulators wouldn't rant and rave every time some facility
has 
	an individual exceed one of these "limits", there would be less of a

	tendency to associate the "exceedance" with an increased risk .. 
	which the public, and lawyers want every one to think will lead to a

	cancer or death.

	
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