Letter: McClatchy series about radiation was spot on

Recent letters to the editor concerning the health effects of ionizing radiation has raised my concern about just how much the so-called experts really understand. I see a lot of facts and statements being made but I question the sources used.

I do not recall Dr. Steve Baker or Dr. Antone L. Brooks being at any of the pre- or post-job briefings that I was personally involved with on high-radiation entries or high-dose tasks. Many of those tasks required entries into high-radiation areas that could only be estimated before entry and were only known after the entry was made.

More than a few times, the radiation dosimetry we wore were buried, indicating the workers received high levels of radiation beyond what was anticipated. I doubt that Dr. Baker or Dr. Antone have access to all the Hanford workers’ radiation dosimetry records.

I wonder what Hanford workers they are referring to, the radiation workers or the non-radiation workers? Many former and current Hanford workers have received radiation doses above regulatory limits.

Perhaps these experts need to work in the radiation conditions the Hanford workers have instead of lab-controlled areas. The McClatchy investigation is spot on!

This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 4:59 PM with the headline "Letter: McClatchy series about radiation was spot on."