Radiation facts get thumbs up

I do not know an isotope from a rem. Let's get that clear right up front. I am not a physicist, scientist or Ph.D. I know way more about the infield fly rule than atoms and gamma rays.

After quoting retired health physicist Blaine Howard about the relative safety of the proposed Divine Strake blast in Nevada, I heard from a lot of people who do know about such things.

It wasn't the first time. Over the past several years, whenever I have quoted professionals who suggest that the public's fear of things nuclear is often not grounded in science, I typically receive a thumbs up from the scientific community.

• "Thanks again for enlightening us on the issue of radiation. As a person who deals with P32 in experiments (the best way to track the movements of DNA with gels) and X-rays in patients, your willingness to cite sound reasoning is very welcome." — John D. Kriesel, M.D.

• "Blaine Howard is correct. In all these matters, one has to be a little suspicious of the political objectives behind some of the fear-mongers who prey on the public's trust." — Darrell R. Fisher, Ph.D.

• "While the press often exaggerates the effects of radiation exposure, here is an article that gets it right." — Wesley R. Van Pelt, Ph.D., CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist), CHP (Certified Health Physicist).

• "Your article should calm irrational fears. It's also interesting to note that ANY explosion will send radioactivity into the air because all soil contains some natural radioactivity." — Glenn Marshall, CHP.

• "Congratulations for writing on Utah radiation after interviewing a health physicist. I am a science reporter and former secretary to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board of India. I have tried to allay the unfounded fears of the members of the public who always believe that radiation is more harmful than any other agent." — K.S. Parthasarathy, Ph.D. (Mubai, India).

• "I agree with and endorse (Blaine Howard's) main points. Thus agreeing makes me a member of a small minority. Nevertheless I believe my credentials are such that my opinions should carry at least a little weight. I received BS and MS degrees from BYU in physics and mathematics. There followed four years of nuclear physics research experience with the Air Force. In 1967 I received a Ph.D. degree in nuclear physics from the University of Utah.