FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2020
PRESS RELEASE https://www.x-lnt.org/press-release-on-debate-dec-2-2020
Contact: Dr. Ben Greenspan, Chairman, XLNT Foundation & SARI Member Phone: 573 808-0918 Email: info@x-lnt.org Websites: https://radiationeffects.org/ and https://www.x-lnt.org/
Evidence for Radiation Hormesis Was Not Refuted in the Online Debate Discarding the LNT model may pay substantial dividends in terms of human health and prosperity North Augusta, SC. In the recent online debate on radiation hormesis (the concept that exposure to low levels of radiation would decrease cancer risk), none of the cited evidence was refuted, indicating radiation hormesis may be a valid phenomenon. If radiation hormesis is valid, the current cancer concerns about low radiation doses would be eliminated, enabling the study and use of low-dose radiation for the prevention and treatment of currently intractable diseases. This would also enable nuclear power to flourish, providing an abundance of low-cost, safe, and clean electricity, thereby improving the quality of life of the world population. Current radiation protection practices, which require reducing radiation doses even when they are low, are based on the old, unproven hypothesis that exposure to even very low levels of ionizing radiation would increase cancer risk, a concept known as the linear no-threshold (LNT) model. However, in the recent debate on radiation hormesis sponsored by the XLNT Foundation and Scientists for Accurate Radiation Information (SARI), to which many scientists and representatives of organizations supporting current radiation protection practices were invited, none of the cited evidence for radiation hormesis was refuted. In addition, when some of the evidence was presented in a Letter to the Editor to the Journal of Radiological Protection, NCRP’s response did not refute the evidence. If radiation hormesis is valid, as indicated by the absence of refutation of the supportive evidence, in spite of multiple opportunities presented to the LNT model supporters, it logically follows that the LNT model is invalid, and the present radiation protection practices are leading to increased cancer risk. The individuals and organizations supporting the current radiation protection policies are asked to withdraw their current radiation protection recommendations relating to low radiation doses. Also, funding agencies are asked not to fund further research based on the LNT model, and journals, magazines, and popular media are asked not to publish articles which are based on the LNT model. Discarding the use of the LNT model and acknowledging radiation hormesis would eliminate concerns regarding low-dose radiation. This can enable the study of low-dose radiation for the prevention and treatment of many currently intractable diseases. The elimination of the fear of low radiation doses would also enable nuclear power to flourish, providing an abundance of low-cost, safe, and clean electricity, thereby improving the quality of life of the world population. XLNT Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization whose mission is to inform the public about the observed beneficial health effects of low-dose ionizing radiation, and to campaign for eliminating use of the LNT model in order to enhance public health. Scientists for Accurate Radiation Information (SARI) is an international group of professionals whose aim is to reduce and eliminate the groundless concerns regarding low levels of radiation by providing accurate information on radiation health effects. ###