HP's/prostitutes

[7pe@ornl.gov (Phil V. Egidi)]

Scott,
Your e-mail reply to Ms. Hayes question about the credentials of your
technical committee was posted on the RADSAFE Listserv.

I was at the STAR conference last October in NYC, and the late Dr. Morgan
clearly was proud of the profession of health physics, albiet disgusted
with the politics.  

A blanket condemnation of the field is inappropriate - there are many
health physicists that spend their careers focusing on radioactivity in the
environment (Eisenbud, Gesell, Whicker, et al.) that are not beholden (sp?)
to any one interest group or industry. Health Physics is a dynamic
profession, it is certainly not limited to nuclear power or nuclear weapons
production.  HPs are involved with pharmacology, cancer research, materials
research, the examples go on and on.  To claim that all HPs are sell-outs
is ludicrous.  

Let me give you an example.  One of the most needed areas of radiation
protection (and unrecognized exposure to the public) where HPs (and
lawyers) are taking the lead is exposure of workers and the public to
sources of technologically enhanced naturally-occurring radioactive
material (TENORM).  An example is radium scale that builds up in oil field
tubulars.  The pipes are pulled from the ground and low-wage workers get
the job of reaming the pipe out to remove the scale.  The workers breath in
the dust, and the scale ends up polluting the soil.  None of this was
regulated in the past and many workers received exposures that were
un-necessary.  This is just one example of TENORM, there are plenty of
other industries that are affected by it.  My point is, that without HPs,
there would be no effort to regulate these industries (which is now
underway).  Just because these industries are unregulated doesn't mean the
workers (who are considered members of the public) shouldn't receive
radiological protection.  

The left has not been involved with this issue at all, and it is a shame
because this is the stuff that is in commerce and the environment, not
behind some fence where the public isn't exposed.  People are being
exposed, there is also an environmental justice aspect to this - often the
workers are low paid and uneducated.  Clearly, it is not
sound-bite/fundraising material (I recognize the need to raise $$ and
picking issues is important).  

The recycling of radioactive scrap metal is another issue that is now
current - much of the press is centered around scrap from the nuclear and
defense industries, but a substantial portion of the scrap is also from
TENORM industries (mostly contaminated with radium isotopes).  

Literally, billions of tons of radioactive industrial waste (large
volume/low specific activity) is generated every year, with little or no
regulation (see the 1993 EPA scoping report on risks from NORM).

For more information on the TENORM issue, check out my web site at:
www.normis.com/nindex.htm

Perhaps you should familiarize yourself with some of the activities that
are going on out there before condemming the whole profession.

I am pro-cleanup.  I want to see environmental restoration carried out to
the best of our abilities (for chemical and rad contaminants), this is
often in direct conflict with the progressive's policy of blocking the
system at all areas (transportation, disposal, etc.,) to stop continued use
of nuclear power.  They are seperate issues and I feel they should be dealt
with on their own merits.  Being pro cleanup is often also in direct
conflict with DOE and others who have these wastes and want to absolve
themselves of liability, and reduce costs, by using risk-based models that
will allow large source terms to remain in the environment because there
are no receptors to receive a dose.

I am not credentialed in health physics, but am a senior HP technologist
(which in reality means I do applied work in the field).  I am very proud
of the profession, and look up to many HPs as mentors and role models.
Don't lump the whole bunch of HPs into one basket - there are a lot of
younger people with progressive beliefs trying to work from within the
system.  You do not do anyone justice by making these claims.

I'd like to keep an open dialogue with you on this, rather than throw
stones.  As a progressive in a conservative industry, it is sometimes
frustrating and lonely, but I have gained respect of my peers (I think), by
doing good work and using good science.

I hope you stay in touch,

Phil Egidi
NORM I&S (consulting)
ORNL/GJ (day job)
pegidi@normis.com
7pe@ornl.gov


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