RE: Intentional Use of Radionuclides for Harm

["McDonald, Michael P" <mpmcdon@sandia.gov>]

Sandy and Al,

"Safe" and "dangerous" are terms that we may never actually be able to
quantify, with respect to public opinion about radiation.  What the public
needs to be taught is that there is a certain level of risk associated with
a certain level of radiation.  Why is it that we hear very little about
medical rad doses, yet the antis will make a huge production out of recycled
rad metal coming from Oak Ridge?  Sure, most of us agree that 5 rem is a
"safe" dose, yet most of use would like to keep our dose less than that, and
are willing to spend our own dollars to do it.  Why?  When we can answer
that question, as an HP community, we'll be better able to relate the "risks
vs. benefits" theme to the public, hence educate.  Wouldn't it be nice to
hear your neighbor ask: "Hey Sandy or Al, how much risk is there associated
with the recycled metal coming from Oak Ridge?"

Michael McDonald
RP & IH Training
mpmcdon@sandia.gov

-----Original Message-----
From: Sandy Perle [mailto:sandyfl@earthlink.net]
Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 1999 12:07 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Re: Intentional Use of Radionuclides for Harm


> To me, these results say even health physicists (who answered the
questionnaire)
> aren't certain the limit is safe, even if they say so.  Until we agree
that it
> is, we are lost and will never win.  Comments?

Al hit the nail on the head. The bottom line conclusions is, we know 
not of what we speak. If we health physicists aren't convinced that 
there are doses at which level there is no risk, how are we ever to 
convince the public that not all radiation is dangerous. Based on 
Al's survey results, I say we've already lost the war, not just the 
battle.

Sandy Perle
E-Mail: sandyfl@earthlink.net 
Personal Website: http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/1205

"The object of opening the mind, as of opening 
the mouth, is to close it again on something solid"
              - G. K. Chesterton -
************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html

************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html