title: Radiation risk--historical perspective and current issues.
abstract: The assessment of radiation risk needs to be seen against the background of a historical development that has reversed the initial belief in a general beneficial effect of radiation to apprehension and fear. Numerical risk estimates are, today, based on large epidemiological studies, and the observations on the A-bomb survivors are outlined as the primary source of information. Since the epidemiological findings are obtained from relatively high radiation exposures, extrapolations are required to the much lower doses that are relevant to radiation protection. The evolution of extrapolation procedures up to current attempts at mechanistic modelling is outlined, and some of the open issues are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Strahlenbiologisches Institut, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Albrecht M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kellerer
mesh_terms: D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D011835:Radiation Protection; D011853:Radiobiology; D011870:Radiologic Health / Q000266:history*; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D018570:Risk Assessment