Health Physics Society Power Reactor Section
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Mr. Edward McGaffigan, Jr. Commissioner, Nuclear Regulatory Commission Dear Sir: The Power Reactor Section of the Health Physics Society and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission share common objectives. Foremost among these is the protection of the public against radiation. Humanity's experience with radiation has taught us that irrational fear can have an even greater impact on health than the actual radiation dose itself. Given current public perceptions, radiation protection must include not only control of radioactive material but public education as well. To fulfill the mission of public education, the Power Reactor Section has a program that uses the background and experience of our members to teach radiation science. In 1999, we began distributing radiation science kits to local teachers in areas around nuclear power plants. Retired civil defense Geiger counters are a key component of our radiation science kits. We've modified the instruments by adding a battery powered speaker making them much more effective in demonstrating principles of radiation science in the classroom. The science kit includes common consumer products that contain radioactive material plus classroom instructions and laboratory exercises. Some of our instructional material was adopted from the NRC's own Teacher's Corner web site. Many members of the public have an irrational fear of radiation. This fear has been promoted by well funded anti-nuclear groups as part of their campaign to stop the development of nuclear power and to curtail other beneficial uses of radiation. After repeating the ill-informed claim that there is no safe level of radiation exposure over and over again, it is now generally accepted as fact in the media and in our schools. The radiation science kits have been a big hit among teachers and students. Participants learn that radiation is an unavoidable part of nature and that most radiation exposure is from natural, rather than man-made sources. Students and teachers are surprised to learn that public radiation exposure from a nuclear power plant is small and insignificant compared to other man-made and natural sources. We believe that given facts about radiation science, students and teachers will reject irrational fears of radiation. We believe in some small way, our efforts contribute to the public welfare. On behalf of the Power Reactor Section, I am pleased to present you a Power Reactor Section radiation science kit. We hope you find it useful in your capacity as an NRC Commissioner.
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