Table 2-2 Estimated Loss of Life Expectancy from Health Risks

DOE-HDBK-1130-98

Module 2 Biological Effects

Instructor's Notes

Comparison of risks

EO9 Compare the biological

risks from chronic radiation

Table 2-2 compares the estimated days of life

doses to the health risks

expectancy lost as a result of exposure to radiation

workers are subjected to in

and other health risks.

industry and daily life.

The following information is intended to put the

potential risk of radiation into perspective when

compared to other occupations and daily activities.

Table 2-2

Estimated Loss of Life Expectancy from Health Risks

Health Risk

Estimated Loss of Life Expectancy

References 1 and 12 of the

PMG.

Smoking 20 cigarettes a day

6 years

Overweight (by 15%)

2 years

Alcohol consumption (U.S. average)

1 year

Agricultural accidents

320 days

Construction accidents

227 days

Auto accidents

207 days

Home accidents

74 days

Occupational radiation dose (1 rem/y), from

age 18-65 (47 rem total)

51 days

All natural hazards (earthquakes, lightning, flood)

7 days

Medical radiation

6 days

The estimates in Table 2-2 indicate that the health risks from

occupational radiation doses are smaller than the risks associated

with normal day-to-day activities that we have grown to accept.

Acceptance of a risk:

1) is a personal matter.

2) requires a good deal of informed judgment.

The risks associated with occupational radiation doses are

generally considered acceptable as compared to other

occupational risks by most scientific groups who have studied

them. There are some scientific groups who claim that the

risk is too high. DOE continues to fund and review worker

health studies to address these concerns.