Current U.S. radiation exposure regulations are discriminatory and do not protect those most vulnerable from nuclear toxicity and other contamination, which are women, children, and our unborn. We must abolish the use of "reference man," an obsolete model that endangers the health and well-being of future generations.
Why is this important?
We must end the use of "reference man," a 150 lb. adult, white male, of western-European descent and custom, that determines allowable levels of contaminant exposure to workers and populations adjacent to nuclear facilities, many of whom are Indigenous, land-based, and people of color. Women are twice as likely to get cancer from the same dose as a man, and infants three times as likely. Contaminants can also cross placental boundaries. Environmental exposure regulations and clean-up standards need to protect those most vulnerable to the toxins released by all contaminating industries, including nuclear facilities. When we protect those most vulnerable, we protect us all.
