There is controversy over the use of (Linear No-Threshold (LNT) hypothesis to estimate the stochastic risk of exposure to ionizing radiation. The
approach is not universally accepted. However, the usefulness of the LNT approach
for radiological protection is very significant. The concepts used in radiation
protection are strongly based on the LNT hypothesis. For example, LNT allows
radiation doses: (i) to be averaged within an organ or tissue, (ii) to be added
from different organs, and (iii) to be added over time.
The LNT also underpins the concepts of absorbed
dose, effective dose, committed dose, and the use of dose coefficients used to
estimate internal dose from the intake of radionuclides.
