Homework Solution

TQ 15-10

Given:

H = 5 mrem = 5x10^-3 rem

Risk coefficient = 500x10^-6 cancer deaths/person/rem

250x10⁶ people in U.S.

Find:

the increase in the number of cancer deaths in the U.S.

Science:

risk calculations

Solve:

N_{excess deaths}= (500x10^-6 deaths/rem)(250x10⁶)(5x10^-3 rem)

N_{excess deaths}= 625 _ANS

[Note: the number of other cancer deaths from causes other than this radiation would be approximately 5.75x10⁶; thus, the increase in cancer deaths caused by 5 mrem would be about a thousandth of a percent over the natural rate.]