Today: 31.Jan.2017

Bobby Scott, scientist emeritus at Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM: Findings reported here point out the lack of any solid evidence for cancer induction by low radiation doses (< 100 mGy) such as are received from single or several applications of CT or chest X-rays. Particularly disturbing is the application of the Linear No-Threshold model. The notion that multiple uses of diagnostic imaging, when separated by weeks or months or longer, is cumulative with respect to damage induction, is not supported by the fact that lifetime exposure to ionizing radiation in regions of elevated background radiation does not increase cancer risk. The claims of harm from such exposures are based mainly on seriously flawed epidemiological studies that usually rely on the unscientific and forced LNT default model.

Published in Radiation

Jerry Cuttler: Although almost 120 years of medical experience and data exist on human exposure to ionizing radiation, advisory bodies and regulators claim there are still significant uncertainties about radiation health risks that require extreme precautions be taken. In the `950s, without scientific evidence, the Natitonal Academy of Sciences Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation (BEAR) Committee recommended that the linear no-threshold (LNT) model be used to assess the risk of radiation-induced mutations in germ cells and the risk of cancer in somatic cells.

Published in Radiation

World Council on Isotopes, website: http://www.wci-ici.org/ has many interesting articles and conferences on isotopes, radioisotopes, and radiation. In this issue for April, 2016 focus is on Article (1) Radiation Applications: Looking to the Future by Alan Waltar and Article (2) Introduction to the ‘Act on the Promotion and Management of Non-Destructive Testing Technology’ of Rep. Korea by Tae Soon Son.

Published in Radiation

Edward Calabrese, Professor of Toxicology, Department of Public Health Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. The first Earth Day, in 1970, was celebrated after a wave of environmentalism swept the nation. Many give credit to Rachel Carson's 1962 book, "Silent Spring," which popularized the notion of large-scale chemical pollution, for igniting the movement.The "linear model" assumes that just a single molecule of a carcinogen or a single ionization from an X-ray can induce cancer. The enthusiasm spawned by Earth Day soon gave us brand new regulatory agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency. The linear model is rigid, absolute and wrong. The resulting environmental regulations are having a negative impact, not only on societal costs, but on our health as well.

Published in Radiation