RISKS FROM RADIATION
THE report of the Medical Research Council's committee on the hazards to man of nuclear and allied radiation is r1 document which is only reassuring in a limited sense. It is true that X-rays are shown to create a bigger risk than either at( rile power stations or nuclear explosions, but, apart from some observations about the X-raying of feet at shoe-shops, the main point of the report is concerned with the presence of a radio' active isotope, strontium-90, in the human bone structure. This substance is being deposited in the bone in growing quantities and, though the danger point, is a long way off yet, the co, mittee recommends that it should be carefully watched. For more than a certain amount of strontium in the bone produces cancer and leukminia, and these results would make themselves felt long before the long-term genetic effects of nuclear radix' tion. The committee demands 'immediate reconsideration' Or the problem in the event of an increase in bone strontium of more than tenfold above the present level. So far, so good. But will it not be too late then to do anything to remedy the situr tion? Action should surely be taken now to deal with du' threat, and the only sensible action would be an international agreement to end the explosion of nuclear weapons. It is to be hoped that the Government may be stirred by this report into taking an initiative which must, surely, be welcomed by an] sane statesman. As usual there will be objections from all the general staffs, but this is a matter which, to echo Clemeno top is much too serious to leave to soldiers.
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