It is the hypothesis to explain the lower cancer incidences observed at higher radiation background areas, and inverse correlation observed between lung cancer mortality and indoor radon (a radioactive inert gas – decay product of a naturally occurring uranium -238 radionuclide) levels measured in some US counties. Adaptive response / enhanced immunity of the human biological system at low radiation dose levels are being invoked to explain this effect. This means radiation exposure is beneficial for health, at low doses!
If accepted, the radiation hormesis concept challenges the very basic approach of linear non-threshold model traditionally used by the International Commission for Radiological Protection (ICRP) for the dose-response relationship. The dose limits prescribed are likely to be enhanced from the existing limits of 30 mSv/year and 1 mSv/y for occupational workers and the members of the public respectively. The ICRP recommendations on dose limits are accepted by majority of the nations.
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