Is it useful to assess annual effective doses that are less than 100 mSv?
Questions such as 'How small is small?' and 'How low is low enough?' have long plagued radiation dosimetrists and risk management personnel. Unfortunately, our knowledge about the biological effects of low levels of ionising radiation is scarce and uncertain. If we look to the results of epidemiological studies, we find that it is not easy to arrive at firm conclusions. However, some current radiobiological experiments using microbeams of various radiations, along with improved theoretical models of radiation action, may shed new light on the effects of low levels of ionising radiation. What shall we do in the meantime? Both of our debaters agree that monitoring of radiation workers is necessary, yet careful consideration must be given to the rationale for providing personal monitoring. There is no question that we have done a good job of protecting radiation workers for many years, but we also must be aware of the many implications of our efforts.
Strom
D J
DJ
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, USA.
Cameron
J R
JR
D000328:Adult; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000592:standards*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000592:standards*; D011871:Radiology; D012449:Safety; D014186:Transportation; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology