Comments on: Embarrassingly predictable? http://enochthered.wordpress.com/2008/08/03/embarrassingly-predictable/ An independent scientist's observations on society, technology, energy, science and the environment. "Modern science has been a voyage into the unknown, with a lesson in humility waiting at every stop. Many passengers would rather have stayed home." - Carl Sagan Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:19:13 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: DV82XL http://enochthered.wordpress.com/2008/08/03/embarrassingly-predictable/#comment-568 DV82XL Fri, 08 Aug 2008 16:12:16 +0000 http://enochthered.wordpress.com/?p=152#comment-568 While I agree with Charles that confounding factors in studies of industrial exposure to low-level radiation have not been properly controlled for we also must note that there have been many studies done to other exposed populations that also negate the LNT. Joe Romm painted himself into a corner on this one and decided to make a stand rather than gracefully admit to error. His family's connection to radon testing (which he openly admits, to his credit) only reinforces the view that the LNT results in a lot of stupid but expensive procedures where people and vendors can make a lot of money, thus entrenching this false standard through special interests. While I agree with Charles that confounding factors in studies of industrial exposure to low-level radiation have not been properly controlled for we also must note that there have been many studies done to other exposed populations that also negate the LNT.

Joe Romm painted himself into a corner on this one and decided to make a stand rather than gracefully admit to error. His family’s connection to radon testing (which he openly admits, to his credit) only reinforces the view that the LNT results in a lot of stupid but expensive procedures where people and vendors can make a lot of money, thus entrenching this false standard through special interests.

]]> By: Charles Barton http://enochthered.wordpress.com/2008/08/03/embarrassingly-predictable/#comment-567 Charles Barton Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:51:35 +0000 http://enochthered.wordpress.com/?p=152#comment-567 My contention with Romm over the NLTH is simple. Empirical studies of nuclear workers longevity show that they live longer than the average person. Thus what ever health consequences nuclear workers might encounter from low level radiation, the health benefits of being a nuclear worker, far outweigh the adverse health consequences. I have also posted on Nuclear Green an analysis of a large scale study of multiple myeloma among nuclear workers. Researchers looked for records of workers "exposed to solvents, metals, welding fumes asbestos and other agents faced increased risks of multiple myeloma. . . Records of such exposures, however, were inadequate to enable the scientists to calculate increased risks accurately." Without control for independent variables, no valid conclusion about the relative health effects of radiation exposure can be drawn. I suspect that the same problem exists for all studies of nuclear worker's health. My contention with Romm over the NLTH is simple. Empirical studies of nuclear workers longevity show that they live longer than the average person. Thus what ever health consequences nuclear workers might encounter from low level radiation, the health benefits of being a nuclear worker, far outweigh the adverse health consequences.

I have also posted on Nuclear Green an analysis of a large scale study of multiple myeloma among nuclear workers. Researchers looked for records of workers “exposed to solvents, metals, welding fumes asbestos and other agents faced increased risks of multiple myeloma. . . Records of such exposures, however, were inadequate to enable the scientists to calculate increased risks accurately.”

Without control for independent variables, no valid conclusion about the relative health effects of radiation exposure can be drawn. I suspect that the same problem exists for all studies of nuclear worker’s health.

]]>