Program Presentations No. 44 – Low Dose and Low-Dose Rate Radiation Effects and Models (2008)

Potential human health effects of low doses of ionizing radiation such as those experienced in occupational and medical exposures are of great contemporary interest. Considerable debate exists over the applicability of a linear-nonthreshold model for characterizing the biological responses and health effects of exposure to low radiation doses, and alternative models have been proposed. A related subject of interest and debate is the effect of the rate of delivery of radiation doses on the biological and health outcomes of exposure. The primary goal of the 2008 NCRP Annual Meeting will be to bring these issues into the perspective of currently available data and models of the biological responses and human health impacts of exposure to low doses of radiation. The meeting will feature presentations by international experts on the topics of (1) molecular, cellular, tissue, and laboratory animal studies on the effects of exposure to low dose and low dose-rate radiation, (2) results of epidemiological studies on human health effects of low radiation doses in occupational, medical and other exposure scenarios, (3) potential impacts of these findings on future regulatory guidance and public health policy. The perspectives of research scientists, public health officials, and regulatory agencies will be presented.