Article 15 of 21

Subject:      Re: Is nuclear radiation unhealthy?
From:         "Bruce C. Fielder" <bfielder@quadrant.net>
Date:         1997/01/23
Message-Id:   <32E83358.3ADE@quadrant.net>
References:   <5amu6f$kh3@nnrp1.farm.idt.net> <32CF39D0.3724@dial.pipex.com> <5api57$pvv@dropit.pgh.net> <5aqk01$mre@news.ox.ac.uk> <5b115d$gv5@dropit.pgh.net> <32d678e3.3642157@news.crosslink.net> <5b623g$n74@dropit.pgh.net> <32d8f3d3.14040562@news.crosslink.net> <5b8kt9$o56@dropit.pgh.net> <5c6ldn$3vd$1@news.calweb.com> <32e72f86.11844521@207.68.143.79> <32e78a9e.35163752@207.68.143.79>
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(much snipped)

The answer depends on two factors:  the damage cause to one's body by
radiation, and the response of one's body to that damage.

The first is more obvious, more radiation = more damage.  Of course,
radiation comes in four ways:  alpha (helium nucleus), beta (electron),
gamma(high energy light), and neutrons(well, neutrons).  The damage
potential for each varies. No one has a really good idea of the damage
caused by any of them, mainly because each of the four can come at you
with wildly differing energy levels.

The second is less obvious, but some general rules have been drawn. 
Bluntly:

ACUTE EFFECTS 			1 Week	   1 Month     4 Months

Medical Care Not Needed		150 Rem    200 Rem      300 Rem
Very Few Deaths                 250 Rem    350 Rem      500 Rem
50% die                         450 Rem    600 Rem       (~850)

(from Bruce D. Clayton)


For comparison, the (Canadian) radiation dose limit for one year is
0.050 Rem, and if anyone actually reaches this some very serious
questions are asked of their bosses.  

One of the confusing parts arises because the effects of low levels of
radiation are not known.  For example, if you get a low dose, do the DNA
errors just stay there and increase the cancer rate? Or, will a low dose
cause mutations just like your body is normally dealing with, and will
your immune system realize that an "infection" of mutations is underway
and respond by mounting a major counteroffensive that will leave you
free of not only the radiation induced, but all other, cancers?

This seems to me to be a good use for lab rats.