muso wrote on Oct 7
th, 2013 at 4:23pm:
Chimp_Logic wrote on Oct 5
th, 2013 at 10:02pm:
It has been known for some time that the risk of cancer and mutations etc from radiation exposure has no lower threshold limit. That is, there is NO safe level of exposure to radiation and that the risk is cumulative over time.
We can discuss that in another thread, but basically that implies that "natural" alpha, beta and gamma radiation is somehow benign whereas the slightest trace of synthetic radiation, even at 1/1000 of natural levels starts to become carcinogenic, even though the radiation itself is identical and the compounds are no more toxic.
I can't understand how any person capable of comprehending advanced concepts could buy into that.
Natural exposure to radiation is not benign
There is a zero threshold for safe exposure to radiation. Internal and external. Irrespective of the source. We are talking about particles possessing a certain amount of energy and entering the body whereby they can do cell or DNA damage etc. then we have radionuclides that can lodge in various organs in the body and irradiate local tissue with extremely high doses. Atoms such as uranium can also attach to the DNA strands or create single and double strand splits. (Known since the 1960s)
That's why people who take long flights, or work in the aviation industry have a higher cumulative health risk to radiation exposure. And workers who work in nuclear power plants. As well as children who live near nuclear power plants. Have you read the KIKK study done in Germany on childhood cancer rates near nuclear power plants?
Anyway, you're right, this serious stuff belongs somewhere else.