A model-free approach to low-dose extrapolation

Estimates of risk associated with exposure to low levels of carcinogenic substances present in the environment are generally obtained by linear extrapolation from higher exposure levels at which risks can be estimated directly. In this paper, we examine the scientific basis for the assumption of low-dose linearity in carcinogenic risk assessment and the different statistical methods that have been proposed for linear extrapolation. A model-free approach to linear extrapolation is described and illustrated using epidemiological data on radiation carcinogenesis. The statistical properties of this method are empirically assessed using 572 selected sets of bioassay data.