Related Experiment Videos
Old Data-New Concepts: Integrating "Indirect Effects" Into Radiation Protection.
Carmel Mothersill1, Colin Seymour2
11Medical Physics and Applied Radiation Sciences Department, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.
Health Physics
|May 23, 2018
Summary
Nontargeted effects, like genomic instability and bystander effects, may alter radiation risk models. Considering these indirect effects is crucial for accurate radiation protection, especially for the environment.
Area of Science:
- Radiation Biology
- Environmental Science
- Risk Assessment
Background:
- Nontargeted effects are biological responses in cells or organisms not directly irradiated.
- These effects include genomic instability and bystander responses, impacting progeny and neighboring cells.
- The linear nonthreshold model is standard for radiation risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the consequences of nontargeted and delayed effects on linear nonthreshold radiation risk models.
- To assess the impact of these indirect effects on environmental radiation protection.
Main Methods:
- The study focuses on theoretical considerations of nontargeted effects.
- It reviews concepts such as genomic instability, bystander effects, and historic dose.
- It does not include low-dose hypersensitivity or adaptive responses.
Main Results:
- Nontargeted effects introduce complexities to radiation risk modeling.
- A transgenerational radiation-response phenotype suggests system-level responses are critical.
- Historic dose may initiate instability passed across generations.
Conclusions:
- Nontargeted effects must be incorporated into radiation protection models.
- Modeling, experimental, and epidemiological approaches are needed to assess their impact.
- Current linear nonthreshold models may require revision to account for these indirect effects.