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Management of Commercially Generated Radioactive Waste - U.S. ...

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46<br />

RADIOLOGICAL ISSUES<br />

particles (high LET radiation) indicates that cancer induction at low doses is probably<br />

greater per unit <strong>of</strong> physical dose than at high doses..." (55)<br />

Response<br />

This controversy is still going on. The reader is referred to Appendix E for a more<br />

detailed discussion.<br />

Draft p. 2.3.6<br />

Issue<br />

The use <strong>of</strong> the Congressional Research Service (Reference 23, draft Section 2.3)<br />

estimate <strong>of</strong> 200,000 defective children per year does not agree with current estimates <strong>of</strong><br />

9.5% to 10.5% incidence <strong>of</strong> genetic disorders in newborn (see UNSCEAR 1977, p. 519). The<br />

UNSCEAR estimates suggest that this estimate <strong>of</strong> 200,000 is at least a low by a factor <strong>of</strong><br />

two.<br />

Estimates <strong>of</strong> malignancies occurring each year are better obtained from the American<br />

Cancer Society annual publication "Cancer Facts and Figures--19xx." For example estimates<br />

have been: 395,000 deaths, 765,000 cases <strong>of</strong> cancer--1979; 390,000 deaths, 700,000 cases--<br />

1978; 385,000 deaths, 690,000 cases--1977; etc. (113-EPA)<br />

Response<br />

The basis for the estimate <strong>of</strong> persons born "with some type <strong>of</strong> physical or mental<br />

defect", as quoted from the Congressional Research Service, was somewhat different from the<br />

basis employed by UNSCEAR in arriving at an incidence <strong>of</strong> "genetic disorders", and the esti-<br />

mates are consequently not the same. A factor <strong>of</strong> two -does not seem important, however, for<br />

the purposes <strong>of</strong> this very general discussion <strong>of</strong> the implications <strong>of</strong> natural radioactivity.<br />

Similarly, more current data on malignancies could be given but the general implications<br />

would not differ. The number 340,000 in the Statement should have been identified as deaths<br />

due caused by malignancies.<br />

Draft p. 2.3.6<br />

Issue<br />

The use <strong>of</strong> Frigerio and Stowe as a reference should be put in context. Aside from<br />

using the same obsolete reference <strong>of</strong> natural background used in the DEIS which inflates the<br />

probable difference in background between areas <strong>of</strong> the country, the others neglect to con-<br />

sider the potential effect <strong>of</strong> other carcinogens in the work place and the environment. Some<br />

<strong>of</strong> these problems are highlighted in multiauthor sections on "Demographic Leads to High-Risk<br />

Groups" and "Environmental Factors" in the volume Persons at High-Risk <strong>of</strong> Cancer

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