Public Information about Nuclear Issues
Nuclear and Radiation Safety Issues
Letter of Dr. Mike Stabin
(To the Los Angeles Times)
Dear Sirs:
I was forwarded a copy of the article by Dr. Caldicott on the
export of nuclear reactors to China by the U.S. Dr. Caldicott
is a competent physician, but is a well known anti-nuclear
activist. Her penchant for twisting the truth is also well
known, and is well demonstrated in this article. This is a
clear example of using information that is basically true,
but put together in an intentionally misleading way. Let me
demonstrate through a parallel argument:
"Potassium-40 is a lethal toxin, which is blithely distributed
to the public by grocery store chains all over America every
day of the year. This deadly isotope remains radioactive for
nearly 13 billion years, and emits extremely high energy gamma
rays (1.5 million electron volts) and beta particles (1.3 million
electron volts). This material is present in high concentrations
in many of the foods that these stores foist on the public, with
full knowledge of the US government. Radiations of this type and
energy are well known for causing leukemia, breast cancer, and
fatal and non-fatal birth defects."
Everything said here is true - K-40 is a naturally occuring
radioisotope of potassium - many foods like bananas, fruit
flavored sherbets, and potassium salts contain lots of K-40.
"People" contain lots of K-40. It has a very long half-life,
about 1.3 billion years, and does emit high energy radiations.
Radiation has been linked to cancer. Are the grocery stores
thus in collusion to irradiate and cause cancer in the American
public? No. But I could make it sound that way if I wanted to.
Unfortunately, many of the arguments (pro-nuke, anti-nuke,
pro-life, pro-choice) carried in the media these days are
dominated by people who have made a living out of dealing in
hyperbole instead of the truth. While this continues, the
American public is not being well served by this diet of
diatribe.
Mike Stabin, PhD, CHP
Oak Ridge, TN
