Medical experts denounce propaganda about “safe” levels of ionising radiation

“According to the National Academy of Sciences, there are no safe doses of radiation. Decades of research show clearly that any dose of radiation increases an individual’s risk for the development of cancer.”…”There is unfortunately a continuing tirade of statements by self-interested parties and some official agencies … implying a threshold for radiation exposure below which there are no adverse consequences,”

No ‘safe’ threshold for radiation: experts, Analysis (ABC Science)31 March 2011 Anna Salleh,As Japanese authorities work to contain radiation at Fukushima, concerns have been raised about public communication on radiation risk.

The US advocacy group, Physicians for Social Responsiblity, recently criticised press reports implying there is a safe threshold for ionizing radiation exposure.

“As the crisis in Japan goes on, there are an increasing number of sources reporting that 100 mSv (millisieverts) is the lowest dose at which a person is at risk for cancer,” says a statement from the organisation.

“Established research disproves this claim,” the statement continues. “According to the National Academy of Sciences, there are no safe doses of radiation. Decades of research show clearly that any dose of radiation increases an individual’s risk for the development of cancer.”

Associate Professor Tilman Ruff of University of Melbourne’s Nossal Institute for Global Health says there may be a threshold for some effects of radiation, but not for cancer.

“There is unfortunately a continuing tirade of statements by self-interested parties and some official agencies … implying a threshold for radiation exposure below which there are no adverse consequences,” says Ruff, who is also a member of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War.

No ‘safe’ threshold for radiation: experts › Analysis (ABC Science)