Well, I think the general public probably is a bit confused about that. But, I think the disagreement is on the exposure of workers, and the practices around that.
IIRC, nuclear reactors for power have surprisingly high operating costs, even tho the fuel costs are quite low, and most of those costs are radiation controls. (And, no one is saying we need to eliminate controls, just dial them back a bit based on better science of how radiation affects humans.)
I think one of my big “wow” moments looking at ALARA was when smarter every day toured the nuclear power plant. He was setting up some camera equipment, and one of the employees mentioned they all avoid the material his bag was made of (nylon or vinyl, iirc). It can attract radioactive material from the outside world, enough to set off detectors and get their lunches confiscated.
Well, I think the general public probably is a bit confused about that. But, I think the disagreement is on the exposure of workers, and the practices around that.
IIRC, nuclear reactors for power have surprisingly high operating costs, even tho the fuel costs are quite low, and most of those costs are radiation controls. (And, no one is saying we need to eliminate controls, just dial them back a bit based on better science of how radiation affects humans.)
I think one of my big “wow” moments looking at ALARA was when smarter every day toured the nuclear power plant. He was setting up some camera equipment, and one of the employees mentioned they all avoid the material his bag was made of (nylon or vinyl, iirc). It can attract radioactive material from the outside world, enough to set off detectors and get their lunches confiscated.