The tide of deregulation in the Trump era continues to creep up the shore. Thanks to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and a special interest group, Scientists for Accurate Radiation Information, or SARI, the legally permissible amounts of radiation allowed to persist in our daily lives could increase significantly as regulators consider the validity of a concept touted by SARI called "hormesis".
Proponents of hormesis believe things that are damaging in high doses, such as radiation, are actually beneficial in regular, low doses. This defies all conventional wisdom, especially around something as recognizably toxic as radiation.
Radiation persists in our daily lives in all kinds of ways- the food chain, radioactive medicine, airports and airplanes, just to name a few. And until recently, the EPA, NRC, and the Department of Labor have upheld regulations limiting the permissible amount of radiation emitted by machinery, and acceptable in food, as well as acceptable levels of exposure for workers who make their living in these radioactive industries. Since President Trump's election, however, and the influx of pro-deregulation officials in the EPA and other regulatory agencies these limitations are at serious risk.
Furthermore, the true motives of these hormesis advocates should be considered next to their benefactors- tobacco moguls, DOW chemical, ExxonMobil, and utility companies.
Could little bits of radiation truly be "good" for us? Or does it make more sense that industry giants continue to try to protect their bottom line by relaxing costly regulations at the expense of the health of millions.
I like bananas and they are radioactive. As we have learned, bananas were not radioactive prior to nuclear testing era. Since then, two generations have gone by and uncountable among of bananas being consumed with no direct link to any radioactive effects. Maybe there is nothing wrong with a little dose of radiation.
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