A restatement of the natural science evidence base concerning the health effects of low-level ionizing radiation
Angela R. McLean, Ella K. Adlen, Elisabeth Cardis, Alex Elliott, Dudley T. Goodhead, Mats Harms-Ringdahl, Jolyon H. Hendry, Peter Hoskin, Penny A. Jeggo, David J. C. Mackay, Colin R. Muirhead, John Shepherd, Roy E. Shore, Geraldine A. Thomas, Richard Wakeford and H. Charles J. Godfray
Proc. R. Soc. B 284: 20171070. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2017.1070
Abstract
Exposure to ionizing radiation is ubiquitous, and it is well established that moderate and high doses cause ill-health and can be lethal. The health effects of low doses or low dose-rates of ionizing radiation are not so clear. This restatement sets out to summarize, as a restatement, the natural science evidence base concerning the human health effects of exposure to low-level ionizing radiation. A novel feature, compared to other reviews, is that a series of statements are listed and categorized according to the nature and strength of the evidence that underpins them. The restatement provides a concise entrée into this vibrant field, pointing the interested reader deeper into the literature when more detail is needed. It is not the purpose of the restatement to reach conclusions on whether the legal limits on radiation exposures are too high, too low or just right. The aim is to provide an introduction so that non-specialist individuals in this area (be they policy-makers, disputers of policy, health professionals or students) have a straightforward place to start.
