The usefulness of LNT approach

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.