Radiation carcinogenesis in humans: is it necessary to revise exposure dose limits based on recent estimates of lifetime risks?

Abstract

Radiation protection dose limits for populations and workers have been recommended on the basis of linear, no threshold dose response and constant absolute risk (AR) models. In 1980, the Committee on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiations (BEIR) showed that lifetime cancer risk is three times greater if the relative risk (RR) model is used instead of the AR model. Recently, several arguments have been advanced to promote the RR model to the detriment of the AR model. As a result, one may raise the question whether exposure dose limits should be reduced. This work shows that, together with the RR model, the linear-quadratic dose-response model has also been set forth as a competitor to the linear model. If the linear dose response and AR models are to be replaced by the linear-quadratic dose response and RR models, then lifetime risk predictions remain unchanged and a revision of exposure dose limits might be not necessary.