[en] Interpretations of biological radiation effects frequently use the word 'threshold'. The meaning of this word is explored together with its relationship to the fundamental character of radiation effects and to the question of perception. It is emphasised that although the existence of either a dose or an LET threshold can never be settled by experimental radiobiological investigations, it may be argued on fundamental statistical grounds that for all statistical processes, and especially where the number of observed events is small, the concept of a threshold is logically invalid. (U.K.)

No abstract available

[en] Radiation effects like cancer are denoted as casualties. Other radiation effects occur almost in everyone when the radiation dose is sufficiently high. One then speaks of radiation effects with a threshold dose. In this article the author puts his doubt about this classification of radiation effects. He argues that some effects of exposure to radiation do not fit in this classification. (H.W.). 19 refs.; 2 figs.; 1 tab

[en] Complete text of publication follows. Purpose: To provide results of dose and dose rate measurements, modeling and analysis for the high Radon 'inverse' dose-rate effect (IDRE), adaptive response (AR) , Bystander Effects (BE), Hyper-radiosensitivity and dose induced radioresistance (HRS/IRR) and the low LET IDRE. Methods: Radon progeny particle diameters decrease at high Radon levels, due to increased neutralization rates. Underground miners data are used to confirm lung dose effects. An adaptive response Microdose Model formulated from the microdose concepts of Feinendegen and his cohorts, is extended to include BE and applied to IDRE, AR and BE experimental data. Results: Analysis of underground miners data conclusively supports a factor of 4.3 in lung dose from increased deposition in the nasel passages, negating BE as cause of the Lubin et al (1995) high Radon lung cancer IDRE. This negates support of BE as major concern at domestic Radon levels and high LET galactic radiations for manned Mars mission. AR Microdose Model use for mammography X-rays shows single Specific Energy Hits, at very low dose rates to the cell nucleus, activates AR protection against spontaneous neoplastic transformations of a factor of 2 further supporting Redpath (2007) of no deleterious cancer risk from mammography X-rays and a dose/dose-rate coupling. IRR in HRS/IRR is from increased repair capability 'triggered' at a very low dose of 15 cGy. The 'triggering' is shown in low LET IDRE with G2/M checkpoint arrest. The correlation suggest IRR in both HRS/IRR and low LET IDRE dose and dose rate radio-protection are from the activation of same increased repair rate protective mechanisms i.e. dose/dose-rate coupling. In examination of LDR Brachytherapy, it's plausible the high excess post-treatment complications, especially for cervix cancer, compared to HDR Brachytherapy is from a high-radiosensitivity for the decaying permanent implant sources below the IDRE threshold with a possible factor of 10 excess dose to connective tissue and organs. Finally, a method for measuring the changes in endogenic cell capabilities to carry-out increased radio-protective processes i.e. separate decreased direct damage (greater ROS scavenging) and the increased repair rates (increased damage recognition, increased damage site location, increased repair mobilization and finally increased repair of the actual damage). This method shows for low LET IDRE no decreased direct damage occurs and significant increased repair occurs. After the 'triggered' threshold and transition of IDRE protection against cell killing, a larger fraction of cell damage produces viable mutations. This suggests that the cells bio-chemically conclude it is senseless to provide protection against potentially mutations in the low dose rate region if all the cells are being killed. Conclusions: The BE does not cause the underground miners high Radon IDRE. Single Specific Energy nucleus hits at very low dose rates activate adaptive response protection of spontaneous neoplastic transformations from mammography X-rays. A dose and dose-rate coupling is modeled. A correlation between the 'triggering' of the transition of the radio-protection for the Hyper-radiosensitivity and dose induced radio-resistance effect (HRS/IRR) and the low LET 'inverse' dose-rate effect (IDRE) as if they are from same radioprotective mechanisms. Possible excess connective tissue and organs damage occurs from low LET IDRE in LDR Brachytherapy treatments with permanent implants.

[en] The present recommendations of the ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection) are almost entirely based on 'stochastic effects' of ionizing radiation, i.e. cancer induction and heritable effects. In a recent report the compatibility of present recommendations with non-stochastic effects has been considered. The present paper is a summary of these findings. (author)

[en] The concepts of threshold and nonthreshold irradiation are discussed. Instead of the concept ''ideal threshold'' in normalization suggested is the term ''conditional threshold'' being determined by a conditional threshold dose, on exposure to which the product of probability of test-effect manifestation by the number of the given group of objects equals one. The suggested definition of the threshold makes it possible to substantiate a spontaneously formed tendency for differentiating the standards depending on the number of groups under consideration; it has been long existent in the field of the radiation factor. The concept ''conditional threshold'' is in conformity with the approach to standardization on the basis of nonadmission of risk realization

[en] There has been a recent revival of interest in the FLASH effect, after experiments have shown normal tissue sparing capabilities of ultra-high-dose-rate radiation with no compromise on tumour growth restraint. A model has been developed to investigate the relative importance of a number of fundamental parameters considered to be involved in the oxygen depletion paradigm of induced radioresistance. An example eight-dimensional parameter space demonstrates the conditions under which radiation may induce sufficient depletion of oxygen for a diffusion-limited hypoxic cellular response. Initial results support experimental evidence that FLASH sparing is only achieved for dose rates on the order of tens of Gy s⁻¹ or higher, for a sufficiently high dose, and only for tissue that is slightly hypoxic at the time of radiation. We show that the FLASH effect is the result of a number of biological, radiochemical and delivery parameters. Also, the threshold dose for a FLASH effect occurring would be more prominent when the parameterisation was optimised to produce the maximum effect. The model provides a framework for further FLASH-related investigation and experimental design. An understanding of the mechanistic interactions producing an optimised FLASH effect is essential for its translation into clinical practice. (paper)

[en] The harm that might be caused by radiation exposure was recognised within months of Rontgen's discovery of X-rays, and recommendations for protection of patients and workers with radiation were formulated first in 1928. In the light of increasing radiobiological, genetic and human epidemiological evidence, it became clear that there might be no threshold, below which harmful effects did not occur. Recommendation and practice in radiation protection reflected this opinion from the early 1950's, and emphasised the consequent need for minimising exposures, quantifying risks and revising the dose limits appropriate for internal radiation of body organs. (author)

[en] The concepts of LNT (Linear No-Threshold) and the resulting ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) used for radiological protection have been stumbling blocks for public acceptability of nuclear power. Often, public get confused and easily get exploited by interested people. The application of this concept has perhaps resulted in a more harmful phenomenon now known as 'radiophobia'. Over the years, LNT has become the corner stone of radiation protection philosophy for the international organizations like ICRP, UNSCEAR etc. which is followed by all national regulators. The genesis of these theories is the cellular level findings of half a century back. Most of these are findings at high dose levels in macro systems and extrapolated to low dose. It is time that international radiation safety organizations revisit the assumptions and have a more pragmatic approach towards these abstract concepts in the light of new findings. The article reviews the evolution of LNT hypothesis and the basis for LNT, examines the possibility that there might be a threshold dose, below which there would be no radiation-related cancer risk. Evidences against LNT and the possible existence of a threshold dose are reviewed. The article concludes that this is definitely time to have a re-look of the corner stone concepts in radiation protection philosophy. (author)

[en] The implementation of a national common document of evaluation must allow to make easy and to homogenize a national evaluation and to integrate the new centers that will equip themselves with a helical tomography equipment. (N.C.)