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logically, merely by the terms used for the units of measurement in describing the amount of radioactivity present.
example,
For
to say that the amount of radioactivity from
naturally occurring radioisotopes in the body of a 170pound man is about one-half a million disintegrations per
minute is more alarming to some people than to say that it
is one-fourth of one one-millionth of a curie.
As the units
of measurement of radioactivity become better known,
a
better understanding of the hazard associated with radioisotopes can be expected.
The standards of radiation protection can be expected
to change as more accurate information is acquired on the
factors upon which the standards are based and as the opinions
of those who have the responsibility for establishing the
standards change with time.
(ibid)
In evaluating hazard,
Dunham
makes the following statements:
The important considerations are that (1) we bring
to bear on the problem all of the information that
can be made available; (2) we take maximum advantage
of the combined judgment of able and well-informed
persons;
and,
(3) we,
as a people,
understand the
general nature of any standards which may be recom-