How p-hacking built the world's most expensive safety regime
2 days ago
- #radiation research
- #p-hacking
- #nuclear safety
- The article criticizes studies linking low-dose radiation to cancer, highlighting methodological flaws like p-hacking.
- Major nuclear disasters like Chernobyl caused far fewer deaths than industrial accidents like Bhopal, yet nuclear risks are disproportionately feared.
- Research on Taiwanese exposed to cobalt-60 in buildings found lower overall cancer rates, contradicting claims of harm from low-dose radiation.
- Key studies (e.g., Hwang et al., Hsieh et al.) show weak or cherry-picked correlations, often ignoring that exposed groups had reduced cancer incidence.
- The INWORKS study suggests a small cancer risk from low-dose radiation, but effects are minimal compared to lifestyle factors like smoking.
- Historical cases (e.g., radium dial painters) indicate harm only from high acute doses, not chronic low-level exposure.
- The article argues that excessive nuclear regulations, based on flawed science, have made nuclear power expensive and hindered its potential.