inthe present maximum permiss ble concentration for radium
They
indicate the risk of development of bone cancer from x-ray or gamma
exposure inindustry is insignificant.
There is brief mention of
skin cancer as induced by radiation, and thyroid gland cancer.
Again
the likelihood of this sort of thing from industrial exposure under:
modern controlled conditions is insignificant except, of course, in
the event of accidental overexposure,
Radiation cataracts are mentioned as a hazard subject to
ready control. |
This report seems to understate effects of radiation on
life span which has been so clearly proved in experiments with animals
at, to be sure, radiation doeses somewhat above permis sible levels,
The National Academy of Sciences report emphasizes this effect and
cites the reduced life expectancy of American radiologists,
Both reports mention effects of radiation on developing
fetuses, and the temporary sterility in males exposed to a few hundred
roentgens at a single exposure.
The British report is totally
reassuring on the effects of occupational exposures on fertility.
<«'"
Chapter IV is a very lengthy genetics effects discussion
with many figures, tables and calculations and a critique of the
Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission genetics study in Japan. This is a
highly technical discussion and comes out with the same conclusj{ons
as does the National Academy of Sciences, namely that a dose of radiation which would double the mutation rate of a relatively small
group of prospective parents would produce no noticeable‘effects.
"For levels of radiation up to the doubling dose, and eveh some way
beyond, the genetics effects of radiation are enly appreciable when
reckoned over the population as a whole and med cause na alarm to’
the individual on his own account."
Chapter V discusses natural radioactivity -- radiation from
appurtenances of civilization and occupational exposure to radiation.
The report concludes that diagnostic medical ‘x-rays produce exposures
to the germ cells of the order of 22 that of background’ and constitute
the most important source of man-made irradiation. It is estimted
that the United Kingdom. Atomic Energy Authority's employees receive
an average does of 0. lr per year.
NAS
The estimated external radiation exposure to people jn >
Great Britain from fallout from all past nuclear tests has been quite
minimal.
"ese Including all ordinary atomic bombs exploded before
December 1955, and calculating all of the radioactivity which they
have contributed and-will contribute ever the next 50 years, it is
found that the total dose: which a man, continuously out of doors,
day and night, would receive is 0.005 r. To this dose from ordinary
atomic bombs must be added the does of thermonuclear weapons. For
these latter the dose from the radioactivity still to be deposited is
- 2 =
REPRCDUCED FROM THE COLL
ECTIONS
OF THE ARCHIVES OF THE
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCI
ENCES
¥