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when someone is knocked down by a car, the result is again only
too obvious. But the effect of gamma rays on our body may not
be known for a very long period. We cannot see these rays, we
cannot smell them, unless and until we are duly warned, we do not
know that they are in the vicinity. Yet we know that they are
highly dangerous both to ourselves and to our progeny. Is it
therefore any wonder that the general public is becoming alarmed,
is asking to know the full facts and is demanding adequate
protection ?
I have attended a number of conferences which discussed this
intriguing subject. On the whole, these conferences have produced
statements to the effect that the Central Government has the matter
well under control, that the public need have no fear, and that
adequate steps would be taken if the permissible limits of radioactivity
were ever passed. One has no reason to doubt these statements,
or to doubt that the government has set up an efficient
system to keep the situation under constant review. There are,
however, two aspects of the problem about which many people still
feel certain misgivings.
The Radio-active Substances Bill, which is at present going
through Parliament, has made provisions for the passing on of
essential information, especially regarding the disposal of radioactive
waste, to local authorities. This is certainly a step in the
right direction, but many Medical Officers of Health would still like
to see provision made for the training of their staff, or at least a
proportion of their staff, in all matters appertaining to the use or
disposal of radio-active substance. It may be that the Radio-active
Substances Bill will cover this point adequately, but that is a matter
which still remains to be seen.
The second point about which many of us feel certain misgivings
is the constant use of the term "re-assurance" when any
discussion takes place on radiation. I have very little doubt that
this word is used in the best possible sense, but none the less, when
one is constantly told that the public must be re-assured, there is
still of necessity a doubt left in the public's mind that they are not
being given all the facts of the case. Indeed, the public should
either be told quite clearly that the whole subject of radiation is
one which is best left in the hands of those most competent to deal
with it; or they should be given the fullest possible information
and be allowed to judge for themselves. Whether we like it or
not, the problems of radiation are with us, and are causing a good
deal of perturbation among those who take the trouble to think
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