Comparison of risks - hdbk-1130-98

DOE-HDBK-1130-98

Module 2 Biological Effects

Instructor's Notes

Review: There are many

The risk of cancer induction from radiation exposure

other causes of cancer, not

can be put into perspective. This can be done by

just radiation.

comparing it to the normal rate of cancer death in

today's society. The current rate of cancer death among

Americans is about 20 percent. Taken from a personal

perspective, each of us has about 20 chances in 100 of

dying of cancer. A radiological worker who receives

25,000 mrem over a working life increases his/her risk

of cancer by 1 percent, or has about 21 chances in 100

of dying of cancer. A 25,000 mrem dose is a fairly

large dose over the course of a working lifetime. The

average annual dose to DOE workers is less than 100

mrem, which leads to a working lifetime dose (40 years

assumed) of no more than approximately 4,000 mrem.

EO9 Compare the

Comparison of risks

biological risks from chronic

radiation doses to the health

Table 2-2 compares the estimated days of life

risks workers are subjected

expectancy lost as a result of exposure to radiation and

to in industry and daily life.

other health risks.

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

References 1 and 12 of the

Health RiskEstimated Loss of Life Expectancy

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