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Genetic risks associated with radiation exposures during space flight.

D Grahn1

  • 1Division of Biological and Medical Research, Argonne, IL 60439, USA.

Advances in Space Research : the Official Journal of the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR)
|January 1, 1983
PubMed
Summary

Manned space flight poses minimal genetic risks to the general population. However, astronauts face increased risks of transmitting dominant mutations due to high-energy radiation, particularly neutrons.

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Area of Science:

  • Space radiation biology
  • Genetic toxicology
  • Astrobiology

Background:

  • Manned space flight exposes astronauts to unique radiation environments.
  • Understanding the genetic risks of space radiation is crucial for astronaut health.
  • Previous assessments suggest low overall risk, but specific genetic endpoints require detailed evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the genetic risks to astronauts from space radiation.
  • To quantify the potential increase in dominant and chromosomal mutations.
  • To differentiate the risks posed by low and high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation components.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed genetic risks based on estimated radiation doses during space flight.
  • Considered the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of different radiation types, especially neutrons.

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  • Calculated the potential increase in first-generation offspring mutations.

    • Main Results:

    • The overall genetic risk to the general population from space flight is considered low.
    • High-LET radiation, particularly neutrons, significantly contributes to genetic risk due to high RBE values (estimated RBE ≥ 20).
    • Exposure to 8 rads low-LET and 2 rads high-LET radiation may increase the risk of transmitting new dominant mutations by 4%–40%.

    Conclusions:

    • While overall population risk is low, individual astronauts face a notable increase in genetic mutation risk.
    • Neutron radiation represents a primary concern for genetic damage in space.
    • HZE particles are not anticipated to be a major contributor to the overall genetic risk.