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RADIATION STANDARDS, INCLUDING - FALLOUT
fields and we have to know exactly which countries you covered and
how much weight is given to medical experience in those countries.
; Dr. Tayzor. The figures from different countries are-not averaged
in here.
Senator Anperson. If they did not, how do they get a figure of 10:
to 50 percent? You would have to admit, this is indefinite.
Dr. Taytor. ‘This might mean in one country 10 percent as the
result of their studies and another country 1514 percent, another country 30 percent, another country 50 and another 40.
Senator Anprrson. They say it runs from 10 to 50 percent because
one is 10 and oneis 50?
Dr. Tayzor. This represents spreads between five countries. You
can not average the countries. There is no meaning to that. As you
pointed out, you cannot add oranges and apples. Thereal point of
this, as compared to our estimates in 1956, is that the evidence is now
such that the medical exposure appears to be much less than it was
considered to be 6 years ago.
Senator ANpERson. We would say that these figures are net. what
welike to call scientifically correct.
Dr. Taytor. They are probably scientifically as good as you can
make them at the present time. I don’t think you can regard themas.
correct or incorrect.
Representative Hosmer. Would yousay that the change downward.
is largely due to the abandonment of the widescale use of chest
X-rays?
Dr. Taytor. I am not in position to answer that, Mr. Hosmer. I
think part of the reason for these figures is that we have had time to
develop better techniques of study. I think that if we had studied the
1956 situation by present techniques, the value reported then probably would not have been as highas indicated.
Representative Hosmer. I do not see how you can consistently support these figures having admitted that you made no investigation as
to how they came about.
Dr. Taytor. These figures I am quoting are figures which TI believe are reliable. It has been a very reliable committee. Groups
that I have worked with have contributed to the methodology that
has been used. Therefore I have confidence in the figures even though
Thad no personal part in obtaining them.
Representative Price. Senator Aiken.
Senator Arxen. I was wondering, Dr. Taylor, to what extent is
the dose of natural radiation influence by weather conditions: hot
sun, rains.
Dr. Taytor. Only toa very minor degree, I believe.
Senator Arken. There is no great range of difference, then, between
eastern Oregon and western Oregon or New Mexico where they always
pray for rain and other parts of the country where they pray that it
will stop raining?
Dr. Taytor. You will find there are differences between different
States and different parts of a State that are just natural. But T
don’t believe these are importantly influenced by local weather.
Senator Arken. What is the reason that there should be the difference in the different States?
Dr. Taytor. There may be a question of altitude. This influences
the amount of cosmic radiation you receive. The amount of radio-
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