Destroying the Linear No-threshold Basis for Radiation Regulation

Destroying the Linear No-threshold Basis for Radiation Regulation

This article suggests five classes of effort that scientists can undertake to destroy the linear no-threshold hypothesis as the basis of radiation regulation in the United States. These are (1) pressure on regulators such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, (2) presidential messages, (3) Congressional pressure, (4) educate physicians about low-dose radiation, and (5) work with journalists and...

Linear No-Threshold Model VS. Radiation Hormesis.

The atomic bomb survivor cancer mortality data have been used in the past to justify the use of the linear no-threshold (LNT) model for estimating the carcinogenic effects of low dose radiation. An analysis of the recently updated atomic bomb survivor cancer mortality dose-response data shows that the data no longer support the LNT model but are consistent with a radiation hormesis model when a...

Topics under Debate IS THE LINEAR-NO-THRESHOLD HYPOTHESIS APPROPRIATE FOR USE IN RADIATION PROTECTION?

Test of the linear-no threshold theory: rationale for procedures.

A tightly reasoned justification is presented for the procedures used in our test of the linear-no threshold theory of radiation carcinogenesis by comparing lung cancer rates with average radon exposure in U.S. counties. A key point is its dependence on ecological variables rather than on characteristics of individuals and the principal problems involve treatment of potential confounding factor...

The linear no-threshold relationship is inconsistent with radiation biologic and experimental data.

Maurice Tubiana, MD Ludwig E. Feinendegen, MD Chichuan Yang, MD Joseph M. Kaminski, MD T he carcinogenic risk induced by low doses of ionizing radiation is controversial. It cannot be assessed with epidemiologic methods alone because at low doses the data are imprecise and often conflicting. Since the 1970s, the radiation protection community has estimated the risk of low doses by means of extr...