Radiation protection—sorting out the arguments

Sven Hansson

pp. 363-368

in: John P. Sullins (ed), Robotics, Philosophy & Technology 24 (3), 2011.

Abstract

This is a response to an article by Wade Allison in which he argues that we should accept drastically higher doses of ionizing radiation than what we currently do (Philosophy and Technology 24:193–195, 2011). He employs four arguments in defence of his position: comparisons with background radiation, the positive experiences of radiotherapy, the presence of biological defence mechanisms against radiation, and a concession by Swedish authorities that their approach to reindeer meat after the Chernobyl fallout was unnecessarily strict. It is shown that each of the four arguments is fallacious. In conclusion, the traditional weighing of risks against benefits in radiation protection is defended.