The new knowledge on human response to low doses of radiation: the crisis of the prevailing conception in radiation protection

Recent statistical data on human response to low-dose radiation are discussed. The probability of lungs cancer among the USA population is decreasing with radon content growth in the buildings, even at the levels, where in intervention is envisaged. Thus, the conception assuming that any radiation is dangerous, is rejected. The summarized statistical data on the nuclear facilities in the USA, Great Britain and Canada show that the death rate from cancer among the personnel is lower than by control. Leucosises are the only exclusion, but their cases are rare. Thus, the existing dose limits prove to be safe enough. 36 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab