I work in a nuclear plant. My average dose for the year is between 1-2 REM. They tell me at the plant that this radiation is good for me. Is this true?! I also get internal radiation. Tritium uptakes of around nine counts? (what ever that means) Will I get cancer??
2007-08-20 07:01:49 · 3 answers · asked by PK 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
1-2 REM is a lot of dose. It probably won't kill you or give you cancer, but it's not particularly ALARA. I assume you work at a BWR? You might want to eventually move to a department where you get less dose. My company's "administrative limits" are lower than your dose. The legal limit is 5 REM.
Radiation is not "good for you." Some people like to think that only the weak cells die (similar to the drinking a lot kills the weak brain cells theory). Modern medical studies suggest keeping your radiation as low as reasonably achievable is a smart thing.
"9 Counts" of tritium is not the best way of quantifying an uptake, but probably is not a big deal. Tritium has a very weak beta. Its weakness means it probably won't disrupt your DNA. Not that you want internal beta, but you'll probably be fine.
2007-08-22 09:38:53 · answer #1 · answered by Alfredo22 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The difference between a person who works in a nuclear facility and one who does not is that YOU KNOW how much radiation you are being exposed to!
"Radiation" is a natural phenomenom that occurs everywhere in the universe...
The exposure levels within most Nuclear Power generation plants are LOWER than in most people's "regular lives", because inside a plant, exposure is regularly monitored, and precautions are taken!
Think about it, when was the last time you "wanded" your hands and feet after being in a grocery store?
About 1 in 4 people get cancer, somewhat less among people working in Nuclear facilities...
2007-08-20 16:16:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
First, let me say that I don't know if receiving a dosage of 1000 to 2000 millirems (1 rem = 1000 millirems) per year is dangerous or not. The U.S. government has guidelines for this, and you should look them up.
Second, anyone who tells you that it's good for you is either joking, lying, or ignorant. The amount you are exposed to may not be dangerous, but it is definitely not "good" for you.
Third, some kinds of radiation are more potent than others. Again, look up the information for the kinds of materials you work with.
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2007-08-20 14:15:36 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋