Reference Man–His Demise is Long Overdue
Little known fact (although we’ve talked about it before on this blog)–regulations and acceptable levels of exposure to radiation are all based on a mythical man. His name is Reference Man and he was created in 1974. He is 5′ - 7″ tall and weighs 170 lbs. He comes from either North America or Western Europe.
Unfortunately, basing standards on such a being totally ignore the fact that acceptable (there is no such thing as safe) levels of exposure for infants and women ) especially those who are pregnant are much lower), or that the impact of radiation on the human body may vary by race.
“But if the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research and other advocates get their way, he will step aside and let women and children - who are more vulnerable to radiation’s medical effects - take over the job. “We believe the government has an obligation to protect more than just adult white men from the hazards of radiation,” says Lisa Ledwidge, outreach director at the institute. “Until these standards are changed, the government is not fulfilling its responsibility.”
A June 2005 report from the Washington-based National Research Council finds women 52 percent more likely to develop some form of cancer than men following uniform whole-body exposure to the same level of radiation.
Children and fetuses are the most vulnerable to developing cancer due to radiation exposure. This is because they have a longer life expectancy and the intensive cell replication for physical growth. Children and fetuses are also more vulnerable to neurological damage and genetic mutations that affect growth and development.
Numerous organizations are working to hasten the overdue demise of Reference Man, including the American Public Health Association, Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND), and Making Our Milk Safe, or (MOMS).
Go here to sign a letter to President Bush calling for an end to Reference Man.
Filed under: Uncategorized, Atrocities
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