Abstract
A review is provided of the literature on radiation hormesis, hormesis being any physiological effect that occurs at low doses and which cannot be anticipated by extrapolating from toxic effects noted at high doses. Epidemiological studies suggesting beneficial effects are considered, and experimental evidence for the existence of hormesis is then appraised. In the latter context, there are possible low-dose effects at the molecular level, at the cellular level and on the organism as a whole. It is concluded that while it is difficult to analyse the effects of low-dose radiation with statistical significance, the concept does permit the reconsideration of the validity of currently accepted notions.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Lorenz E. Some biological effects of long continued irradiation.Am J Roentgenol 1950; 63: 176.
Sagan LA. What is hormesis and why haven't we heard about it before?Health Phys 1987; 52: 521–525.
Stebbing A. Hormesis, the stimulation of growth by low levels of inhibitors.Sci Total Environ 1982; 22: 213.
Abbat JD, Hamilton TR, Weeks, JL. Epidemiological studies in three corporations covering the Canadian nuclear fuel cycle.Biological effects of low level radiation. IAEA: Vienna, 1983: 351.
Kendall GM, Muirhead CR, Macgibbon BH, O'Hagan JA, Conquest AJ, Goodhill AA, Butland BK, Fell TP, Jackson DA, Webb MA, Haylock RGE, Thomas JM, Silk TJ.First analysis of the national registry for radiation workers. Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation and mortality. NRPB: Chilton, Didcot, UK; 1992: NRPB-R251.
Luxin W, etal. Epidemiological investigation of radiological effects in high background radia,1iion areas of Yangjiang, China.J Radiat Res 1990; 31: 119–136.
Tietjen GL. Plutonium and lung cancer.Health Phys 1987; 52: 625–628.
Nambi KSV, Soman SD. Environmental radiation and cancer in India.Health Phys 1987; 52: 653–657.
Hickey RJ, Bowers EJ, Spence DE, Zemel BS, Clelland AB, Clelland RC. Low level ionizing radiation and human mortality: multiregional epidemiological studies.Health Phys 1981; 40: 207–219.
Kato H, Schull WJ, Awa A, Akiyama M, Otake M. Dose-response analyses among atomic bomb survivors exposed to low level radiation.Health Phys 1987; 52: 645–652.
Mine M, Okumura Y, Ichimart M, Nakumura T, Kondo S. Apparently beneficial effect of low to intermediate doses of A-bomb radiation on human life span.Int J Radiat Biol 1990; 58: 1035–1043.
Cohen BL, Colditz GA. Tests of the linear-threshold theory for lung cancer induced by exposure to radon.Environ Res 1994;64:65–89.
BEIR. Report, US National Academy of Sciences Committee on Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation, Washington D.C.Health risks of radon and other internally deposited alpha emitters (BEIR-IV). Washington D.C.: National Academy Press, 1988.
Haynes RM. The distribution of domestic radon concentrations and lung cancer mortality in England and Wales.Radiat Prot Dosim 1988; 25: 93–96.
Cameron J. The good news about low level radiation exposure: health effects of low level radiation in shipyard workers.Health Phys Soc Newsletter 1992; 20: 9.
Craig L, Seidman H. Leukemia and Lymphoma mortality in relation to cosmic radiation.Blood 1961; 17:319.
Frigerio NA, Stowe RS. Carcinogenic and genetic hazard from background radiation.Biological and environmental effects of low level radiation, (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1976; 2: 285.
Cohen JJ. Natural Background as indicator of radiation induced cancer.Proc. 5th Int. Radiat. Assoc, Jerusalem, 1980.
Webster EW. The effects of low doses of ionizing radiation.J. Tenn. Med. Assoc. 1983; 76: 499.
Miller AB, Howe GR, Sherman GJ, Lindsay JP, Yaffe MJ, Dinner PJ, Risch HA, Preston L. Mortality from breast cancer after irradiation during fluoroscopic examinations in patients being treated for tuberculosis.N Engl J Med 1989; 321: 1285–1289.
Pollycove M. Positive effects of low level radiation in human populations. In: Calabrese EJ (ed)Biological effects of low level exposures: dose-response relationships. London: CRC Press; 1994: 171–187.
Macklis RM, Beresford B. Radiation hormesis.J Nucl Med 1991;32:350–359.
Wolff S. Are radiation-induced effects hormetic?Science 1989;245:575,621.
Olivieri G, Bodycote J, Wolff S. Adaptive response of human lymphocytes to low concentrations of radioactive thymine.Science 1984; 233: 594–597.
Shadley JD, Wolff S. Very low doses of X-rays can cause human lymphocytes to become less susceptable to ionizing radiation.Mutagenesis 1987; 2: 95–96.
Wolff S, Wiencke JK, Afzal V, Youngblom J, Cortés F. The adaptive response of human lymphocytes to very low doses of ionizing radiation: a case of induced chromosomal repair with the induction of specific proteins. In: Baverstock KM, Stather JW (eds)Low dose radiation: biological bases of risk assessment. London: Taylor and Francis; 1989: 446–454.
Feinendegen LE, Muhlensiepen H, Bond VP, Sondhaus CA. Intracellular stimulation of biochemical control mechanisms.Health Phys 1987; 52: 663–669.
Luckey TD. Physiological benefits from low levels of ionizing radiation.Health Phys 1982; 43: 771–789.
Liu SZ, Liu WH, Sun JB. Radiation hormesis: its expression in the immune system.Health Phys 1987; 52: 579–584.
He WH, Feng RL, Liang JY, Chen MZ, Chen L, Li RB, Zhang GM. Survey of cancer mortality rate among inhabitants of high background area in Guangdong.Chinese J Radiol Med Protection 1985; 5: 109–115.
Zhai SJ, Lin XJ, Pan TM, He WH, Feng RL, Chen MZ, Li SH, Chen L, Li RB, Yie HX. A preliminary report on the survey of cancer mortality in high background area 1970–1980.Chinese J Radiol Med Protection 1982; 2: 48–56.
Bloom ET, Akiyama M, Kusunoki Y, Makinodan T. Delayed effects of low-dose radiation on cellular immunity in atomic bomb survivors residing in the United States.Health Phys 1987;52:585–591.
Leonard A, Delpoux M, Meyer R, Decat G, Leonard ED. Effect of an enhanced natural radioacivity on mammal fertility.Sci Total Environ 1985; 45: 535–542.
Meyer MB, Tonascia J. Long term effects of prenatal X-ray of human females. 11. Growth and development.Am J Epidemiol 1981;114:317–336.
Planel H, Soleilhavoup JP, Tixador R, Richoilley A, Conter A, Croute F, Caratero C, Gaubin Y. Influence on cell proliferation of background radiation or exposure to very low, chronic y radiation.Health Phys 1987; 52: 571–578.
Richoilley G, Tixador R, Gasset G, Templier J, Planel H. Preliminary results of the “paramecium” experiment.Naturwissenschaften 1986; 73: 404.
Fabrikant JI. Adaptation of cell renewal systems under continuous irradiation.Health Phys 1987; 52: 561–571.
Harman D. Free radical theory of ageing. In: Johnson JE Jr, Walford R, Harman D, Miquel J, (eds)Free radicals, ageing, and degenerative diseases. New York: Alan R. Liss; 1986: 3–49.
Totter JR. Physiology of the hormetic effect.Health Phys 1987;52:549–551.
Totter JR. Food restriction, ionizing radiation, and natural selection.Mech Ageing Dev 1985; 30:261.
Congdon CC. A review of certain low level ionizing radiation studies in mice and guinea pigs.Health Phys 1987; 52: 593–597.
Mays CW, Lloyd RD, Taylor GN, Wrenn ME. Cancer incidence and life span vsα-particle dose in beagles.Health Phys 1987;52:617–625.
Matanoski GM, Sternberg A, Elliot EA. Does radiation exposure produce a protective effect among radiologists?Health Phys 1987; 52: 637–644.
Moghissi AA, Ray DL. Radiation and cancer risk. Letter.Health Phys 1988; 54: 473.
Gofman JW. Health effects of ionizing radiation: Dr Sagan's paradigms [letter].Health Phys 1987; 52: 679.
Sagan LA. Reply to Dr. Gofman's comments on the health effects of ionizing radiation [letter].Health Phys 1987; 52: 680.
Hart G. Why is zero radiation considered good? [letter].Nucl Med Commun 1993; 14: 506–507.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
van Wyngaarden, K.E., Pauwels, E.K.J. Hormesis: are low doses of ionizing radiation harmful or beneficial?. Eur J Nucl Med 22, 481–486 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00839064
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00839064