Low-dose ionizing radiation: Carcinogenic effects in man

From epidemiologic studies, carcinogenic effects associated with radiation doses under 50 rads are presented, dose-effect relationships are considered, and potentials for making further observations in human populations are reviewed. Malignant lesions reported to be associated with doses of less than 50 rads are leukaemia and thyroid cancer; dose-effect information for these neoplasms is presented. Some studies suggest there may be low-dose associations with several other types of malignancies. The studies reviewed had periods of observation of 16-29 years post-exposure. It is important that studies which are capable of providing data about low-dose effects of dose-response relationships ranging from high to low doses be carried out for as long a period of follow-up as possible. (author)