To Mitigate The Lnt Model's Unintended Consequences-A Proposed Stopping Point For As Low As Reasonably Achievable.

Abstract

While the debate over the linear no-threshold model continues, there's a relatively straightforward step that can be taken to mitigate the unintended consequences of the linear no-threshold model and the application of the as low as reasonably achievable principle-enact a stopping point for as low as reasonably achievable. The National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements defined the negligible individual dose in 1993 as having a value of 0.01 mSv y. Radiation safety professionals overwhelmingly agree that applying the as low as reasonably achievable principle at very low doses, such as those consistent with background radiation levels, is not improving radiation safety of the public or radiation workers. To the contrary, this practice has significant financial and social consequences, and it severely inhibits public communication of radiation risks. To move forward, the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements should increase the negligible individual dose to a more practical value of 0.1 mSv y-the new as low as reasonably achievable stopping point. While radiation research in radiation biology and epidemiology are needed to better understand low-dose health effects below 100 mSv, in the meantime we should apply what we know-i.e., that radiation protection should not include trying to protect people from radiation doses that are consistent with variations in background radiation.