Re: Ra, 25 mrem/y

[Dan Burnstein <npro1@ziplink.net>]

Is the background 400mR or is that enviornmental burden plus some fraction of all
medical burden spread equally over the population as a whole with the assumption we
are all equal?

Jim Tocci wrote:

> Steven Rima wrote:
> >
> >      These types of arguments from health physicists always amaze me. We're
> >      talking about a *theoretical maximum* annual increase in a person's
> >      dose of 25 mrem here. With the average U.S. background of about 400
> >      mrem/y, plus the variability in background, this is essentially zero.
> >      However, there are always health physicists that espouse the view that
> >      this "extra" 25 mrem/y is somehow harmful and should either be reduced
> >      by spending incredible amounts of money or not be allowed at all
> >      without consent. Give me a break!!!
> >
> >      I would expect that any HP who truly believe this to never fly on an
> >      airplane, live at sea level in a wood house, never travel to a higher
> >      altitude, and especially to never receive any occupational exposure,
> >      since that's the worst kind. :-) When we have HPs spreading this kind
> >      of misinformation, we don't need the anti-nukes, we're our own worst
> >      enemy.
> >
> >      As for educating the public to let them make an informed decision
> >      about radiation risk, it's pretty hopeless from my experience. I live
> >      in Colorado, which probably has the highest average annual background
> >      dose in the U.S., and it also happens to be one of the fastest growing
> >      states in the U.S. A large number of people moving here are attuned to
> >      environmental issues, including radiation. Try telling them that their
> >      conscious decision to move here increased their annual radiation dose
> >      far more than the few mrem they may theoretically receive from a
> >      cleaned up Rocky Flats site (after we spend billions of $ to clean
> >      it). It's irrelevant to them. They don't want to hear about natural
> >      background, no matter what the number is, but it's okay to spend
> >      billions to reduce a few mrem to a few less mrem.
> >
> >      When we have HPs who seem to believe that there is "good radiation"
> >      and "bad radiation" how in the world can we hope to get anywhere with
> >      the general public???
> >
> >      Obviously my opinion only...
> >
> >      If anyone wishes to flame me, let's keep it via private email so as
> >      not to waste the time of the 3000+ RADSAFE subscribers.
> >
> >      Steven D. Rima, CHP, CSP
> >      Manager, Health Physics and Industrial Hygiene
> >      MACTEC-ERS, LLC
> >      steven.rima@doegjpo.com
> >
> > ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
> > Subject: Re: Ra, 25 mrem/y
> > Author:  Dan Burnstein <npro1@ziplink.net> at Internet
> > Date:    12/11/99 1:46 PM
> >
> > If I were to walk down a country road or through a city I would not like to
> > receive 25mr or 250uSv, roughly the equivalent of a chest xray, without (1)
> > knowing it was happening, and (2) accepting that risk and exposure for some
> > benefit.
> >
> > It maybe that I would be willing to undertake this burden for a benefit, but I
> > would rather do it as an informed consumer than otherwise.
> >
> > Dan B.
> > npro1@ziplink.net
> >      <snip>
> > ************************************************************************
> > The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
> > information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html
>
> In response to Mr. Rima I can only say "AMEN".
> --
> Jim Tocci, Radiation Safety Program Manager
> University of Massachusetts - Environmental Health and Safety
> (413) 545-2682
> http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~safety/prog_radiation.html
> *****************************************************
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> The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
> information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html

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information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html