- 34-
UCRL- 3644
5. Any analysis of the fallout of radioactive materials on a worldwide basis shows that it does not even remotely approach the threshold for
acute radiation effects, which cannot be recognized below 100 r ina single
exposure. Radiation predicted from. future fallout is still far less than natural
radiation background. Increases in the internal radiation exposure of 0.1 r/yr
are not meaningful in comparison with acute radiation damage. Attempted
comparisons are responsible for most misunderstanding of the fallout hazard
to humans.
6.
Life-span changes, cancer or leukemia induction, and cell changes
appear to be proportional--as are genetic effects of radiation--to radiation
exposure. Although these effects are not measurable in any individual exposed
to fallout, they can be estimated, in terms of very small risks. The effects
are dwarfed in comparison with the adverse environmental hygienic factors
that most persons regard as commonplace. For example:
Factor
Life-span loss per person
(days)
—.3,,.0.0 0-—
Smoking per-dey—y—_—___—_______.
Being 25% overweight
'1, 300
Having 25% elevated lipoproteins)
2, 500
Living in United States as a driver of an
automobile
Working in industry (industrial hazard)
470
.
100
7. The evidence indicates that Sr?9 may eventually cause a worldwide increase in leukemia, accounting for abouts2% of all deaths. Compared
with the current accident rate, a 2% leukemia increase distributed throughout
the entire population would be a life-span loss of about 0. Olyear per person
in the United States; all accidents account for a 2. 3-year life-span loss per
person, automobile use for 0.87 year. Thus the Sr?° induction of leukemia is
comparable with some of the mechanical mishaps we risk as a partial cost of
the "advantages" of our mechanized and energized age.
8. The sum of evidence is that radiation has a deleterious effect
upon man's health, but that the effects are extremely small at such slight
radiation exposures as are involved in the world-wide fallout. Nevertheless,
since radiation probably does affect man's health and progeny--even though
minutely for minute exposures--incurring it should be treated as the equivalent
of the spending of money or time, and should be allowed only for necessary
gainful advantages.
-g
ca quod an gice
g
k
e
w
M
W
r
o
o
Aft fe ety. p
cet ENB AR
n
p
p
j
d
e
"pe
I
be pO
A¢
—
Cpe afew
ag At