Radiation Hormesis and the Linear-No-Threshold Assumption (eBook)

Charles L. Sanders (Autor)

eBook Download: PDF

2009 | 2010
XI, 217 Seiten
Springer Berlin (Verlag)
978-3-642-03720-7 (ISBN)

Infos

Current radiation protection standards are based upon the application of the linear no-threshold (LNT) assumption, which considers that even very low doses of ionizing radiation can cause cancer. The radiation hormesis hypothesis, by contrast, proposes that low-dose ionizing radiation is beneficial. In this book, the author examines all facets of radiation hormesis in detail, including the history of the concept and mechanisms, and presents comprehensive, up-to-date reviews for major cancer types. It is explained how low-dose radiation can in fact decrease all-cause and all-cancer mortality and help to control metastatic cancer. Attention is also drawn to biases in epidemiological research when using the LNT assumption. The author shows how proponents of the LNT assumption consistently reject, manipulate, and deliberately ignore an overwhelming abundance of published data and falsely claim that no reliable data are available at doses of less than 100 mSv.

Inhalt

Preface 5
References 6
Acknowledgments 7
Contents 8
1 Introduction 11
1.1 The LNT Assumption 13
1.2 Radiation Hormesis and Radioadaptive Response 16
References 22
2 Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms 27
2.1 Introduction 27
2.2 The Radioadaptive Response 29
2.3 Chromosome Aberrations 32
2.4 Neoplastic Transformation 34
2.5 Apoptosis 36
2.6 Immune Enhancement 38
References 40
3 Natural Environmental Radiation 47
References 51
4 Accidents, Tests, and Incidents 53
4.1 Radium Dial Painters 53
4.2 Nuclear Weapons Tests 54
4.3 Mayak and Techa River Residents 55
4.4 Eastern Urals Nuclear Waste Tank Explosion 55
4.5 Japanese A-Bomb Survivors 56
4.6 Taiwan Contaminated Buildings 57
4.7 Chernobyl 57
References 60
5 Medical Exposures and Workers 63
5.1 Radiotherapy for Noncancer Conditions 63
5.2 Diagnostic Radiation Exposures 64
5.3 Prenatal Exposures 65
5.4 Radioiodine Therapy 65
5.5 Second Tumors in Radiotherapy Patients Treated for a Primary Tumor 66
5.6 Medical Workers 67
References 70
6 Nuclear Workers 73
Appendix 79
References 92
7 Biased Epidemiological Studies 95
7.1 Epidemiology Studies 95
7.2 Bias, Prejudice, and Statistical Inaccuracy 97
7.3 Pooled Studies 99
References 100
8 Evidence Negating the Healthy Worker Effect 102
References 109
9 Lung Cancer 113
9.1 Introduction 113
9.2 Tobacco 113
9.3 External Low LET Radiation 114
9.4 Radon General 117
9.5 Environmental and Ecologic Studies of Radon 117
9.6 Case-Control Studies of Radon 120
9.7 Underground Uranium Miners 123
9.8 Internal High LET Radiation 123
9.9 Mechanism 126
Appendix 126
References 134
10 Breast Cancer 143
Appendix 147
References 153
11 Leukemia 156
Appendix 160
References 168
12 Liver, CNS, and Thyroid Cancers 171
12.1 Liver Cancer 171
12.2 Central Nervous System Cancer 172
12.3 Thyroid Cancer 173
Appendix 175
References 188
13 Lifespan, Birth Defects, and Experimental Cancer 190
13.1 Lifespan 190
13.2 Birth Defects 192
13.3 Experimental Cancer 193
References 198
14 Animal and Human Cancer Therapeutic Studies 202
References 207
15 Conclusions, Summary, and Importance 209
References 213
Index 219

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 7.11.2009
• Zusatzinfo: XI, 217 p.
• Verlagsort: Berlin
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Medizin / Pharmazie ► Medizinische Fachgebiete ► Dermatologie
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Biologie
• Themenwelt: Technik
• Schlagworte: epidemiology • Hormesis • Ionizing • LNT • Radiation • Radiaton Oncology • Radiobiology
• ISBN-10: 3-642-03720-8 / 3642037208
• ISBN-13: 978-3-642-03720-7 / 9783642037207