Biological effects of ionising radiation: dose and dose-rate relationships

Some dose-response relationships for radiation injury are discussed. Examples include cell sterilization, induction of chromosome damage; gene mutation and induction of leukaemia in experimental mice by high and low LET radiation. There is some experimental evidence suggesting the existence of a reverse dose-rate effect in experimental animal systems for induction of cancer by high LET radiation. If this were to be fully substantiated and shown to be relevant to the induction of human cancer, it could have considerable implications in estimating risk for radiological protection purposes. (author)