dangerous activities

[Michael Stabin <stabin@npd.ufpe.br>]

>From: "Lavera, Ron" <Ron.Lavera@nypa.gov>

>I think that you miss the point.  That is NATURAL RADIATION and by
>definition it is good as opposed to man made radiation for
>industrial/scientific ( as opposed to medical treatment ) which is
BAD...BAD
>RADIATION <:-)


Actually, this is an interesting point, from the standpoint of risk
perception and acceptance.  Medical radiation is "good", perhaps because all
of us have had a direct or very close experience with its use in healing,
perhaps because we understand the risk/benefit equation.  However, the
impact on the medical industry of closing waste sites, stopping LLW
shipments, etc. is rarely discussed by anti's, nor do they stage protests in
radiology waiting rooms.  Then we have radon, which is natural (and by the
EPA's estimates a 'natural born killer'), but no one is suggesting closing
down the environment.  Schizophrenia reigns.


Michael Stabin
Departamento de Energia Nuclear/UFPE
Av. Prof. Luiz Freire, 1000 - Cidade Universitaria
CEP 50740 - 540
Recife - PE
Brazil
Phone 55-81-271-8251 or 8252 or 8253
Fax  55-81-271-8250
E-mail stabin@npd.ufpe.br


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