title: A Commentary on: "A History of the United States Department of Energy (DOE) Low Dose Radiation Research Program: 1998-2008".
abstract: This commentary provides a very brief overview of the book "A History of the United States Department of Energy (DOE) Low Dose Radiation Research Program: 1998-2008" ( http://lowdose.energy.gov ). The book summarizes and evaluates the research progress, publications and impact of the U.S. Department of Energy Low Dose Radiation Research Program over its first 10 years. The purpose of this book was to summarize the impact of the program's research on the current thinking and low-dose paradigms associated with the radiation biology field and to help stimulate research on the potential adverse and/or protective health effects of low doses of ionizing radiation. In addition, this book provides a summary of the data generated in the low dose program and a scientific background for anyone interested in conducting future research on the effects of low-dose or low-dose-rate radiation exposure. This book's exhaustive list of publications coupled with discussions of major observations should provide a significant resource for future research in the low-dose and dose-rate region. However, because of space limitations, only a limited number of critical references are mentioned. Finally, this history book provides a list of major advancements that were accomplished by the program in the field of radiation biology, and these bulleted highlights can be found in last part of chapters 4-10.
authors.affiliation: Retired, Chief Scientist for the United States Department of Energy Low Dose Radiation Research Program, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Antone L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Brooks
mesh_terms: D024201:Bystander Effect; D003142:Communication; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006077:Government Agencies / Q000266:history*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011853:Radiobiology / Q000266:history*; D012015:Reference Standards; D012106:Research / Q000266:history*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D049490:Systems Biology; D013672:Technology; D014481:United States