RADIATION HORMESIS WITH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL SOURCES

Hormesis is stimulation by low doses of any agent. Whole body exposures to low doses of ionizing radiation reduce total cancer mortality rates. Internal sources include plutonium, radium and radon. Information about the effects of low doses of external radiation is seven million person-years with contaminated and control nuclear workers. Both internal and external sources significantly reduce total cancer mortality rates. Human data confirm results previously obtained with experimental animals. Cancer mortality is of both personal and national concern. This country would have 200,000 fewer premature cancer deaths each year if the population received safe radiation supplementation equivalent to that of exposed nuclear workers. The thrust of international and national agencies must change from death, risk and protection to health and prolonged life. The $trillion saved in waste management would provide a $billion for safe radiation supplementation. Raising radiation limits would improve health for individuals and efficiency for the national economy