Chapter 29, Problem 74RPP

To determine

The ratio of death due to cancer in 5 years for both the cases, from the provided choices, if, in one case, radioactive materials like cesium-131 and iodine-131 were released into the atmosphere due to a nuclear accident resulting in the exposure of radioactive material in an area of 80 km, in which nearly 2 million people were residing and, on an average, were exposed to 1 rem radiation. It is found that if 10,000 people were exposed to a radiation of 1 rem, approximately 6 people die due to cancer. In the second case, 4000 deaths occur per year in the same region due to cancer caused by other factors, such as smoking.

a. 1/2000

b. 1/20

c. 1

d. 20/1

e. 200/1