Does Jimmy Carter's long life prove some exposure to radiation is OK?

In summary, former USA President Jimmy Carter, who is now 98 years old, was one of the original US Navy nuclear engineers. Over 70 years ago, he led a team that successfully extracted the world's first melted down core from a Canadian reactor, despite the high risk of death and infertility due to radiation exposure. Despite experiencing radioactive urine for 6 months, Carter and his team were able to safely remove the core, despite being exposed to about 1000 times the allowed amount under today's protocols. This event serves as a reminder that radiation damage is a probabilistic event, and does not necessarily warrant changes in safety standards.
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swampwiz
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Former USA President Jimmy Carter seems to be near the end of his 98 years, and was one of the original US Navy nuclear engineers. Over 70 years ago, he led a team that extracted out the world's first melted down core out of a Canadian reactor, himself going 90 seconds into the "dead zone" - and had radioactive urine for 6 months afterwards. It is estimated that he and his team got a dousing about 1000X as much as is allowed under today's protocols. Besides the risk of death, there was a risk that we would be infertile (4 children later, obviously that did not happen).

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/chalk-river-nuclear-accident-1.6293574
 
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Radiation damage is a probabilistic event so a single case does not constitute proof for changing of standards.
Everyone is exposed to radiation everyday and many survive. Some do not.
 
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1. What is the connection between Jimmy Carter's long life and radiation exposure?

Jimmy Carter's long life has been attributed to his exposure to low levels of radiation during his time as a nuclear engineer in the US Navy. This exposure is believed to have activated his immune system and increased his body's ability to fight off diseases.

2. How much radiation exposure did Jimmy Carter have?

Jimmy Carter's exposure to radiation is estimated to be between 1 and 2 rem (a unit of measurement for radiation dose) during his time in the Navy. This is considered to be a low level of exposure compared to other individuals who have been exposed to higher doses of radiation.

3. Is any amount of radiation exposure safe?

There is no agreed upon safe level of radiation exposure. However, studies have shown that low levels of exposure, such as the amount Jimmy Carter was exposed to, may have some positive effects on the body's immune system. It is important to note that higher levels of exposure can have harmful effects on the body.

4. Can radiation exposure really contribute to a longer life?

While there is evidence that low levels of radiation exposure may have some positive effects on the body, it is not a guarantee for a longer life. Other factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and overall health also play a significant role in longevity.

5. Should we be exposed to low levels of radiation for health benefits?

It is not recommended to purposely expose oneself to radiation for potential health benefits. The long-term effects of radiation exposure are still not fully understood and it is important to limit exposure as much as possible to avoid any potential negative effects on the body.

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