Radiation hormesis - A remedy for fear

Abstract

<jats:p> Personal reflections on radiation hormesis for the past 50 years are presented. The causes of ignoring and rejections of this phenomenon by international and national bodies and by radiation protection establishment are analyzed. The opposition against nuclear weapons and preparations for nuclear war was probably the main factor in inducing the concern for adverse effects of low doses of ionizing radiation, a byproduct of activism against the nuclear weapon tests. UNSCEAR was deeply involved in preparation of the scientific basis for cessation of nuclear test, and contributed to elaboration of the LNT assumption, which is in contradiction with the hormetic phenomenon. However, this authoritative body recognized also the existence of radiation hormesis, termed as ‘adaptive response.’ The political and vested interests behind exclusion of hormesis from the current risk assessment methodology are discussed. </jats:p>

Radiation Exposure During Endourologic Procedures Using Over-the-Table Fluoroscopy Sources

“…13,14 As long as we do not know for sure if even low exposure to ionizing radiation increases our risk of cancer development or if it even protects us, 13 all possible protective action should be taken. The following issues must be addressed: Wearing appropriate 0.5 mm lead shielding, minimizing the use of fluoroscopy, Pulsed fluoroscopy is another very important feature that is available with the latest generation of fluoroscopic units.…”

Immunological Mechanism of the Low-Dose Radiation-Induced Suppression of Cancer Metastases in a Mouse Model

“…Current regulations are based on the controversial LNT hypothesis (ICRP 1990(ICRP , 2006Mossman 2009) which imposes avoiding exposures to even very low doses and dose rates of radiation. This practice not only elevates the costs of the enforcement of the protective measures, but may also haveopposite to the intentions -adverse health effects (for review see Jaworowski 2000Jaworowski , 2009.…”

Shifting the Paradigm in Radiation Safety

“…observed increase in leukemias in atomic bomb survivors and observed increase in mutations in drosophila subjected to radiation (Calabrese, 2009). The decision to adopt the LNT model may also have been influenced by the political movements of that time period to stop the development of nuclear weapons (Jaworowski, 2010b). Recent measurements have shown a Ushaped dose response curve for X-ray induced mutations in drosophila (Ogura et al, 2009;Koana and Tsujimura, 2010) invalidating one of the original justifications for adopting the LNT model.…”