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Little MP, Bazyka D, de Gonzalez AB, Brenner AV, Chumak VV, Cullings HM, Daniels RD, French B, Grant E, Hamada N, Hauptmann M, Kendall GM, Laurier D, Lee C, Lee WJ, Linet MS, Mabuchi K, Morton LM, Muirhead CR, Preston DL, Rajaraman P, Richardson DB, Sakata R, Samet JM, Simon SL, Sugiyama H, Wakeford R, Zablotska LB. A Historical Survey of Key Epidemiological Studies of Ionizing Radiation Exposure. Radiat Res 2024; 202:432-487. [PMID: 39021204 PMCID: PMC11316622 DOI: 10.1667/rade-24-00021.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
In this article we review the history of key epidemiological studies of populations exposed to ionizing radiation. We highlight historical and recent findings regarding radiation-associated risks for incidence and mortality of cancer and non-cancer outcomes with emphasis on study design and methods of exposure assessment and dose estimation along with brief consideration of sources of bias for a few of the more important studies. We examine the findings from the epidemiological studies of the Japanese atomic bomb survivors, persons exposed to radiation for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, those exposed to environmental sources including Chornobyl and other reactor accidents, and occupationally exposed cohorts. We also summarize results of pooled studies. These summaries are necessarily brief, but we provide references to more detailed information. We discuss possible future directions of study, to include assessment of susceptible populations, and possible new populations, data sources, study designs and methods of analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P. Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Headington Campus, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Dimitry Bazyka
- National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, 53 Melnikov Street, Kyiv 04050, Ukraine
| | | | - Alina V. Brenner
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Vadim V. Chumak
- National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, 53 Melnikov Street, Kyiv 04050, Ukraine
| | - Harry M. Cullings
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Robert D. Daniels
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Benjamin French
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Eric Grant
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Hamada
- Biology and Environmental Chemistry Division, Sustainable System Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI), 1646 Abiko, Chiba 270-1194, Japan
| | - Michael Hauptmann
- Institute of Biostatistics and Registry Research, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Gerald M. Kendall
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Dominique Laurier
- Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, Fontenay aux Roses France
| | - Choonsik Lee
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | - Won Jin Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Martha S. Linet
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | - Kiyohiko Mabuchi
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | - Lindsay M. Morton
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | | | | | - Preetha Rajaraman
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - David B. Richardson
- Environmental and Occupational Health, 653 East Peltason, University California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-3957 USA
| | - Ritsu Sakata
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Jonathan M. Samet
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Steven L. Simon
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | - Hiromi Sugiyama
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Richard Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Manchester, Ellen Wilkinson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Lydia B. Zablotska
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16 Street, 2 floor, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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Qu S, Qiu X, Liu J, Feng R, Wang Y, Dong X, Jin Y, Liu X. Reparative effects after low-dose radiation exposure: Inhibition of atherosclerosis by reducing NETs release. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 947:174540. [PMID: 38977089 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The cardiovascular system effects of environmental low-dose radiation exposure on radiation practitioners remain uncertain and require further investigation. The aim of this study was to initially investigate and explore the mechanisms by which low-dose radiation may contribute to atherosclerosis through a multi-omics joint comprehensive basic experiment. METHODS We used WGCNA and differential analyses to identify shared genes and potential pathways between radiation injury and atherosclerosis sequencing datasets, as well as tissue transcriptome immune infiltration level extrapolation and single-cell transcriptome data correction using the CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm. Animal models were constructed by combining a high-fat diet with 5 Gy γ-ray whole-body low-dose ionizing radiation. The detection of NETs release was validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Analysis reveals shared genes in both datasets of post-irradiation and atherosclerosis, suggesting that immune system neutrophils may be a key node connecting radiation to atherosclerosis. NETs released by neutrophil death can influence the development of atherosclerosis. Animal experiments showed that the number of neutrophils decreased (P < 0.05) and the concentration of NETs reduced after low-dose radiation compared with the control group, and the concentration of NETs significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the HF group. Endothelial plaques were significantly increased in the high-fat feed group and significantly decreased in the low-dose radiation group compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS Long-term low-dose ionizing radiation exposure stimulates neutrophils and inhibits their production of NETs, resulting in inhibition of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shugen Qu
- School of Public Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Key Laboratory of Watershed Science and Health in Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou 325035, China; South Zhejiang Institute of Radiation Medicine and Nuclear Technology, Wenzhou 325809, China.
| | - Xu Qiu
- School of Public Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Jiao Liu
- School of Public Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Ruojing Feng
- School of Public Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Yuanfeng Wang
- School of Public Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xiuwen Dong
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Yiheng Jin
- School of Public Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- School of Public Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Key Laboratory of Watershed Science and Health in Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou 325035, China; South Zhejiang Institute of Radiation Medicine and Nuclear Technology, Wenzhou 325809, China.
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3
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Little MP, Wakeford R, Zablotska LB, Borrego D, Griffin KT, Allodji RS, de Vathaire F, Lee C, Brenner AV, Miller JS, Campbell D, Pearce MS, Sadetzki S, Doody MM, Holmberg E, Lundell M, French B, Adams MJ, Berrington de González A, Linet MS. Radiation exposure and leukaemia risk among cohorts of persons exposed to low and moderate doses of external ionising radiation in childhood. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:1152-1165. [PMID: 37596407 PMCID: PMC10539334 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02387-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many high-dose groups demonstrate increased leukaemia risks, with risk greatest following childhood exposure; risks at low/moderate doses are less clear. METHODS We conducted a pooled analysis of the major radiation-associated leukaemias (acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with/without the inclusion of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)) in ten childhood-exposed groups, including Japanese atomic bomb survivors, four therapeutically irradiated and five diagnostically exposed cohorts, a mixture of incidence and mortality data. Relative/absolute risk Poisson regression models were fitted. RESULTS Of 365 cases/deaths of leukaemias excluding chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, there were 272 AML/CML/ALL among 310,905 persons (7,641,362 person-years), with mean active bone marrow (ABM) dose of 0.11 Gy (range 0-5.95). We estimated significant (P < 0.005) linear excess relative risks/Gy (ERR/Gy) for: AML (n = 140) = 1.48 (95% CI 0.59-2.85), CML (n = 61) = 1.77 (95% CI 0.38-4.50), and ALL (n = 71) = 6.65 (95% CI 2.79-14.83). There is upward curvature in the dose response for ALL and AML over the full dose range, although at lower doses (<0.5 Gy) curvature for ALL is downwards. DISCUSSION We found increased ERR/Gy for all major types of radiation-associated leukaemia after childhood exposure to ABM doses that were predominantly (for 99%) <1 Gy, and consistent with our prior analysis focusing on <100 mGy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA.
| | - Richard Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Ellen Wilkinson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Lydia B Zablotska
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 2nd floor, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - David Borrego
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA
| | - Keith T Griffin
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA
| | - Rodrigue S Allodji
- Equipe d'Epidémiologie des radiations, Unité 1018 INSERM, Bâtiment B2M, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, Cedex, 94805, France
| | - Florent de Vathaire
- Equipe d'Epidémiologie des radiations, Unité 1018 INSERM, Bâtiment B2M, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, Cedex, 94805, France
| | - Choonsik Lee
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA
| | - Alina V Brenner
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA
| | - Jeremy S Miller
- Information Management Services, Silver Spring, MD, 20904, USA
| | - David Campbell
- Information Management Services, Silver Spring, MD, 20904, USA
| | - Mark S Pearce
- Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Sir James Spence Institute, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in chemical and radiation threats and hazards, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Siegal Sadetzki
- Israel Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
- Cancer & Radiation Epidemiology Unit, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology & Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel & Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Michele M Doody
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA
| | - Erik Holmberg
- Department of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, S-413-45, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Marie Lundell
- Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, S-17176, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Benjamin French
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Michael Jacob Adams
- University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 265 Crittenden Boulevard, CU 420644, Rochester, NY, 14642-0644, USA
| | - Amy Berrington de González
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA
- Division of Genetics and Epidemiology, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
| | - Martha S Linet
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA
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Yelizarov M, Yelizarov O, Berezovska I, Rataj M. Influence of the natural radon radiation on the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12752. [PMID: 37550495 PMCID: PMC10406895 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39705-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The statistics of COVID-19 accumulated in Ukraine show areas with a significantly lower incidence of diseases. The purpose of the study was to identify factors that could influence the pattern of the pandemic in a particular area. Within the study it was assumed that the level of health care is approximately the same throughout the country. Population density was considered the main factor influencing the dynamics of the spread of infection. To reduce the impact of changes in population density across regions, it was normalized by the average population density in the country. The normalization of statistics for the country resulted in a model in the form of a linear relationship between the normalized values of the number of COVID-19 cases in the region and the size of the region. Subsequent analysis of the graphical data made it possible to identify four regions with the lowest incidence of COVID-19. The geographical proximity of these regions Dnipro, Kherson, Vinnytsia and Kirovograd, indicates the presence of a common factor for them, not typical for the rest of Ukraine. Such a factor may be the location of 83% of Ukraine's uranium deposits in the territories around Kirovohrad. Radon is one of the decay products of uranium, so the population of these areas may experience increased exposure to radon. This noble gas has more than a century of medical use, in particular for pulmonary diseases, although there is still no consensus about its effectiveness and side effects. Considering that COVID-19 was often complicated by pulmonary diseases, it can be assumed that the geological specificity of these four regions of Ukraine had an impact on the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in their territories. The study findings are important in terms of further COVID-19 research and prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mykhaylo Yelizarov
- Natural Sciences Department, Kremenchuk Mykhailo Ostrohradskyi National University, Kremenchuk, Ukraine
| | - Olexandr Yelizarov
- Natural Sciences Department, Kremenchuk Mykhailo Ostrohradskyi National University, Kremenchuk, Ukraine
| | - Iryna Berezovska
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Rataj
- Department of Cognitive Science and Mathematical Modeling, University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow, Rzeszow, Poland.
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Su C, Pan M, Liu N, Zhang Y, Kan H, Zhao Z, Deng F, Zhao B, Qian H, Zeng X, Sun Y, Liu W, Mo J, Guo J, Zheng X, Sun C, Zou Z, Li H, Huang C. Lung cancer as adverse health effect by indoor radon exposure in China from 2000 to 2020: A systematic review and meta-analysis. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13154. [PMID: 36437653 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Indoor radon exposure is thought to be associated with adverse health effect as lung cancer. Lung cancer incidences in China have been the highest worldwide during the past two decades. It is important to quantitively address indoor radon exposure and its health effect, especially in countries like China. In this paper, we have conducted a meta-analysis based on indoor radon and its health effect studies from a systematic review between 2000 and 2020. A total of 8 studies were included for lung cancer. We found that the relative risk (RR) was 1.01 (95% CI: 1.01-1.02) per 10 Bq/m3 increase of indoor radon for lung cancer in China. The subgroup analysis found no significant difference between the conclusions from the studies from China and other regions. The health effect of indoor radon exposure is relatively consistent for the low-exposure and high-exposure groups in the subgroup analysis. With a better understanding of exposure level of indoor radon, the outcomes and conclusions of this study will provide supports for next phase of researches on estimation of environmental burden of disease by indoor radon exposures in countries like China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiao Su
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Minyi Pan
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Ningrui Liu
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yinping Zhang
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Haidong Kan
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuohui Zhao
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Furong Deng
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Qian
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Engineering Research Center of BEEE, Ministry of Education, Xicheng, China
| | - Xiangang Zeng
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yuexia Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Institute for Health and Environment, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinhan Mo
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianguo Guo
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohong Zheng
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Engineering Research Center of BEEE, Ministry of Education, Xicheng, China
| | - Chanjuan Sun
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhijun Zou
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Li
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Huang
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
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Lowe D, Roy L, Tabocchini MA, Rühm W, Wakeford R, Woloschak GE, Laurier D. Radiation dose rate effects: what is new and what is needed? RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2022; 61:507-543. [PMID: 36241855 PMCID: PMC9630203 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-022-00996-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades of research to understand the biological effects of ionising radiation, there is still much uncertainty over the role of dose rate. Motivated by a virtual workshop on the "Effects of spatial and temporal variation in dose delivery" organised in November 2020 by the Multidisciplinary Low Dose Initiative (MELODI), here, we review studies to date exploring dose rate effects, highlighting significant findings, recent advances and to provide perspective and recommendations for requirements and direction of future work. A comprehensive range of studies is considered, including molecular, cellular, animal, and human studies, with a focus on low linear-energy-transfer radiation exposure. Limits and advantages of each type of study are discussed, and a focus is made on future research needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna Lowe
- UK Health Security Agency, CRCE Chilton, Didcot, OX11 0RQ, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Laurence Roy
- Institut de Radioprotection Et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Fontenay-Aux-Roses, France
| | - Maria Antonella Tabocchini
- Istituto Nazionale i Fisica Nucleare, Sezione i Roma, Rome, Italy
- Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Werner Rühm
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Center Munich, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Richard Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Gayle E Woloschak
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Dominique Laurier
- Institut de Radioprotection Et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Fontenay-Aux-Roses, France
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7
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Ghosh A. Biological and cellular responses of humans to high-level natural radiation: A clarion call for a fresh perspective on the linear no-threshold paradigm. MUTATION RESEARCH. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2022; 878:503478. [PMID: 35649671 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2022.503478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There remains considerable uncertainty in obtaining risk estimates of adverse health outcomes of chronic low-dose radiation. In the absence of reliable direct data, extrapolation through the linear no-threshold (LNT) hypothesis forms the cardinal tenet of all risk assessments for low doses (≤ 100 mGy) and for the radiation protection principle of As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). However, as recent evidences demonstrate, LNT assumptions do not appropriately reflect the biology of the cell at the low-dose end of the dose-response curve. In this regard, human populations living in high-level natural radiation areas (HLNRA) of the world can provide valuable insights into the biological and cellular effects of chronic radiation to facilitate improved precision of the dose-response relationship at low doses. Here, data obtained over decades of epidemiological and radiobiological studies on HLNRA populations is summarized. These studies do not show any evidence of unfavourable health effects or adverse cellular effects that can be correlated with high-level natural radiation. Contrary to the assumptions of LNT, no excess cancer risks or untoward pregnancy outcomes have been found to be associated with cumulative radiation dose or in-utero exposures. Molecular biology-driven studies demonstrate that chronic low-dose activates several cellular defence mechanisms that help cells to sense, recover, survive, and adapt to radiation stress. These mechanisms include stress-response signaling, DNA repair, immune alterations and most importantly, the radiation-induced adaptive response. The HLNRA data is consistent with the new evolving paradigms of low-dose radiobiology and can help develop the theoretical framework of an alternate dose-response model. A rational integration of radiobiology with epidemiology data is imperative to reduce uncertainties in predicting the potential health risks of chronic low doses of radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anu Ghosh
- Animal House Facility & Radiation Signaling Section, Radiation Biology & Health Sciences Division, Bio-Science Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400 094, India.
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8
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Mahajan A, NiveditaChakrabarty, Shukla S. A narrative review on radiation risk from imaging for COVID-19: Breaking the myths and the mithya. CANCER RESEARCH, STATISTICS, AND TREATMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/crst.crst_7_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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9
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Rühm W, Laurier D, Wakeford R. Cancer risk following low doses of ionising radiation - Current epidemiological evidence and implications for radiological protection. MUTATION RESEARCH. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2022; 873:503436. [PMID: 35094811 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2021.503436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that every year worldwide about a million patients might be exposed to doses of the order of 100 mGy of low-LET radiation, due to recurrent application of radioimaging procedures. This paper presents a synthesis of recent epidemiological evidence on radiation-related cancer risks from low-LET radiation doses of this magnitude. Evidence from pooled analyses and meta-analyses also involving epidemiological studies that, individually, do not find statistically significant radiation-related cancer risks is reviewed, and evidence from additional and more recent epidemiological studies of radiation exposures indicating excess cancer risks is also summarized. Cohorts discussed in the present paper include Japanese atomic bomb survivors, nuclear workers, patients exposed for medical purposes, and populations exposed environmentally to natural background radiation or radioactive contamination. Taken together, the overall evidence summarized here is based on studies including several million individuals, many of them followed-up for more than half a century. In summary, substantial evidence was found from epidemiological studies of exposed groups of humans that ionizing radiation causes cancer at acute and protracted doses above 100 mGy, and growing evidence for doses below 100 mGy. The significant radiation-related solid cancer risks observed at doses of several 100 mGy of protracted exposures (observed, for example, among nuclear workers) demonstrate that doses accumulated over many years at low dose rates do cause stochastic health effects. On this basis, it can be concluded that doses of the order of 100 mGy from recurrent application of medical imaging procedures involving ionizing radiation are of concern, from the viewpoint of radiological protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Rühm
- Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - D Laurier
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - R Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
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Matsumoto H, Fukuda A, Mizuno S, Hashimoto S, Morimoto Y. Effect of X-ray exposure during hysterosalpingography on capabilities of female germ cells. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:3233-3242. [PMID: 34751833 PMCID: PMC8666400 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02347-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To elucidate the effect of X-ray exposure during hysterosalpingography (HSG) on subsequent laboratory outcomes in in vitro fertilization (IVF). METHODS A total of 1458 oocytes, consisting of 990 oocytes retrieved from 70 women (89 cycles) who underwent HSG prior to IVF and 468 oocytes from 45 women (57 cycles) who underwent IVF without HSG, were evaluated for their retrieval number, maturity, fertilization, and development post fertilization. X-ray exposure during HSG was recorded as reference air kerma (RAK) (mGy). Subjects were stratified according to the amount of RAK (Nil: IVF without HSG, L-RAK: RAK < 16.23, mH-RAK: RAK ≥ 16.23). The number of oocytes retrieved, oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo development was compared among 3 groups. Further, multivariate analyses were performed to investigate the effect of X-ray exposure on laboratory outcomes in IVF. RESULTS There was a statistically significant difference in the fertilization rate among 3 groups (Nil: 71.6%, L-RAK: 80.5%, mH-RAK: 78.3%). The good-quality blastocyst rate in mH-RAK (46.2%) was significantly higher than L-RAK (35.3%) and Nil (32.4%). Multivariate analyses revealed that X-ray exposure was associated with higher fertilization, higher blastocyst development, and higher good-quality blastocyst development rates with adjustment for patient age, BMI, ovarian stimulation types, and fertilization methods. Association between X-ray exposure and the number of oocytes retrieved, and oocyte maturation was not confirmed. CONCLUSIONS The present study suggests that X-ray exposure of the female reproductive organs during HSG could enhance the potential of oocytes rather than adversely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Matsumoto
- IVF Osaka Clinic, 1-1-14 Nagata-Higashi Higashi, Osaka City, Osaka, 577-0012, Japan.
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, 1-4-3 Asahimachi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan.
| | - Aisaku Fukuda
- IVF Osaka Clinic, 1-1-14 Nagata-Higashi Higashi, Osaka City, Osaka, 577-0012, Japan
| | - Satoshi Mizuno
- IVF Osaka Clinic, 1-1-14 Nagata-Higashi Higashi, Osaka City, Osaka, 577-0012, Japan
| | - Shu Hashimoto
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, 1-4-3 Asahimachi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Yoshiharu Morimoto
- HORAC Grand Front Osaka Clinic, 15th Floor, Grand Front Osaka Tower B, 3-1 Ofuka-cho, Kita-ku, 530-0011, Osaka, Japan
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Visweswaran S, Raavi V, Abdul Syed Basheerudeen S, Kanagaraj K, Prasad A, Selvan Gnana Sekaran T, Pattan S, Shanmugam P, Ozimuthu A, Joseph S, Perumal V. Comparative analysis of physical doses and biomarker changes in subjects underwent Computed Tomography, Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography, and interventional procedures. MUTATION RESEARCH-GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2021; 870-871:503404. [PMID: 34583824 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2021.503404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Even though the medical uses of ionizing radiation are well-acknowledged globally as vital tools for the improvement of human health, they also symbolize the major man-made sources of radiation exposure to the population. Estimation of absorbed dose and biological changes after radiation-based imaging might help to better understand the effects of low dose radiation. Because of this, we measured the Entrance Surface Dose (ESD) at different anatomical locations using Lithium tetraborate doped with manganese (Li2B4O7: Mn), recorded Dose Length Product (DLP) and Dose Area Product (DAP), analyzed Chromosomal Aberration (CA), Micronucleus (MN), gamma-H2AX (γ-H2AX), and p53ser15 proteins in the blood lymphocytes of patients (n = 267) underwent Computed Tomography (CT), Positron Emission Tomography-CT (PET/CT), and interventional procedures and healthy volunteers (n = 19). The DLP and effective doses obtained from PET/CT procedures were significantly higher (p < 0.05) when compared to CT. Fluoroscopic time and DAP were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in therapeutic compared to diagnostic interventional procedures. All the anatomical locations registered a significant amount of ESD, the ESD obtained from CT and interventional procedures were significantly (p < 0.05) higher when compared to PET/CT. Fluoroscopic time did not correlate with the ESD (eye, head, thyroid, and shoulder; R2 = 0.03). CA frequency after PET/CT was significantly higher (p < 0.001) when compared to CT and interventional procedures. MN frequency was significantly higher in 24-hs (p < 0.001) post-interventional procedure compared to 2-hs. The mean ± SD of mean fluorescence intensity of γ-H2AX and p53ser15 obtained from all subjects underwent PET/CT and interventional procedures did not show a significant difference (p > 0.05) between pre- and post-procedure. However, the relative fluorescence intensity of γ-H2AX and p53ser15 was >1 in 58.5 % and 65.8 % of subjects respectively. Large inter-individual variation and lack of correlation between physical dose and biomarkers suggest the need for robust dosimetry with a large sample size to understand the health effects of low dose radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangamithra Visweswaran
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 116, India
| | - Venkateswarlu Raavi
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Tamaka, Kolar, Karnataka, 563 103, India
| | - Safa Abdul Syed Basheerudeen
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 116, India
| | - Karthik Kanagaraj
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 116, India
| | - Akshaya Prasad
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 116, India
| | - Tamizh Selvan Gnana Sekaran
- Central Research Lab, K.S. Hegde Medical Academy, NITTE (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Karnataka, 575 018, India
| | - Sudha Pattan
- Department of Radiology & Imaging Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 116, India
| | - Panneerselvam Shanmugam
- Department of Radiology & Imaging Sciences, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 116, India
| | - Annalakshmi Ozimuthu
- Safety, Quality & Resource Management Group, Health Safety and Environment Group, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, 603 102, India
| | - Santhosh Joseph
- Department of Neuro-Radiology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 116, India
| | - Venkatachalam Perumal
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600 116, India.
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Walsh L, Shore R, Azizova TV, Rühm W. On the choice of methodology for evaluating dose-rate effects on radiation-related cancer risks. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2021; 60:493-500. [PMID: 34170393 PMCID: PMC8310494 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-021-00920-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Recently, several compilations of individual radiation epidemiology study results have aimed to obtain direct evidence on the magnitudes of dose-rate effects on radiation-related cancer risks. These compilations have relied on meta-analyses of ratios of risks from low dose-rate studies and matched risks from the solid cancer Excess Relative Risk models fitted to the acutely exposed Japanese A-bomb cohort. The purpose here is to demonstrate how choices of methodology for evaluating dose-rate effects on radiation-related cancer risks may influence the results reported for dose-rate effects. The current analysis is intended to address methodological issues and does not imply that the authors recommend a particular value for the dose and dose-rate effectiveness factor. A set of 22 results from one recent published study has been adopted here as a test set of data for applying the many different methods described here, that nearly all produced highly consistent results. Some recently voiced concerns, involving the recalling of the well-known theoretical point-the ratio of two normal random variables has a theoretically unbounded variance-that could potentially cause issues, are shown to be unfounded when aimed at the published work cited and examined in detail here. In the calculation of dose-rate effects for radiation protection purposes, it is recommended that meta-estimators should retain the full epidemiological and dosimetric matching information between the risks from the individual low dose-rate studies and the acutely exposed A-bomb cohort and that a regression approach can be considered as a useful alternative to current approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Walsh
- Department of Physics, Science Faculty, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Roy Shore
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Tamara V. Azizova
- Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, Ozyorskoe shosse 19, Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk region 456780 Russia
| | - Werner Rühm
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München- German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
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13
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Little MP, Azizova TV, Hamada N. Low- and moderate-dose non-cancer effects of ionizing radiation in directly exposed individuals, especially circulatory and ocular diseases: a review of the epidemiology. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 97:782-803. [PMID: 33471563 PMCID: PMC10656152 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1876955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE There are well-known correlations between high and moderate doses (>0.5 Gy) of ionizing radiation exposure and circulatory system damage, also between radiation and posterior subcapsular cataract. At lower dose correlations with circulatory disease are emerging in the Japanese atomic bomb survivors and in some occupationally exposed groups, and are still to some extent controversial. Heterogeneity in excess relative risks per unit dose in epidemiological studies at low (<0.1 Gy) and at low-moderate (>0.1 Gy, <0.5 Gy) doses may result from confounding and other types of bias, and effect modification by established risk factors. There is also accumulating evidence of excess cataract risks at lower dose and low dose rate in various cohorts. Other ocular endpoints, specifically glaucoma and macular degeneration have been little studied. In this paper, we review recent epidemiological findings, and also discuss some of the underlying radiobiology of these conditions. We briefly review some other types of mainly neurological nonmalignant disease in relation to radiation exposure. CONCLUSIONS We document statistically significant excess risk of the major types of circulatory disease, specifically ischemic heart disease and stroke, in moderate- or low-dose exposed groups, with some not altogether consistent evidence suggesting dose-response non-linearity, particularly for stroke. However, the patterns of risk reported are not straightforward. We also document evidence of excess risks at lower doses/dose-rates of posterior subcapsular and cortical cataract in the Chernobyl liquidators, US Radiologic Technologists and Russian Mayak nuclear workers, with fundamentally linear dose-response. Nuclear cataracts are less radiogenic. For other ocular endpoints, specifically glaucoma and macular degeneration there is very little evidence of effects at low doses; radiation-associated glaucoma has been documented only for doses >5 Gy, and so has the characteristics of a tissue reaction. There is some evidence of neurological detriment following low-moderate dose (∼0.1-0.2 Gy) radiation exposure in utero or in early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tamara V Azizova
- Clinical Department, Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, Ozyorsk, Ozyorsk Chelyabinsk Region, Russia
| | - Nobuyuki Hamada
- Radiation Safety Research Center, Nuclear Technology Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI), Komae, Tokyo, Japan
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14
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Hosoda M, Nugraha ED, Akata N, Yamada R, Tamakuma Y, Sasaki M, Kelleher K, Yoshinaga S, Suzuki T, Rattanapongs CP, Furukawa M, Yamaguchi M, Iwaoka K, Sanada T, Miura T, Iskandar D, Pudjadi E, Kashiwakura I, Tokonami S. A unique high natural background radiation area - Dose assessment and perspectives. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 750:142346. [PMID: 33182182 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The biological effects of low dose-rate radiation exposures on humans remains unknown. In fact, the Japanese nation still struggles with this issue after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Recently, we have found a unique area in Indonesia where naturally high radiation levels are present, resulting in chronic low dose-rate radiation exposures. We aimed to estimate the comprehensive dose due to internal and external exposures at the particularly high natural radiation area, and to discuss the enhancement mechanism of radon. A car-borne survey was conducted to estimate the external doses from terrestrial radiation. Indoor radon measurements were made in 47 dwellings over three to five months, covering the two typical seasons, to estimate the internal doses. Atmospheric radon gases were simultaneously collected at several heights to evaluate the vertical distribution. The absorbed dose rates in air in the study area vary widely between 50 nGy h-1 and 1109 nGy h-1. Indoor radon concentrations ranged from 124 Bq m-3 to 1015 Bq m-3. That is, the indoor radon concentrations measured exceed the reference levels of 100 Bq m-3 recommended by the World Health Organization. Furthermore, the outdoor radon concentrations measured were comparable to the high indoor radon concentrations. The annual effective dose due to external and internal exposures in the study area was estimated to be 27 mSv using the median values. It was found that many residents are receiving radiation exposure from natural radionuclides over the dose limit for occupational exposure to radiation workers. This enhanced outdoor radon concentration might be as a result of the stable atmospheric conditions generated at an exceptionally low altitude. Our findings suggest that this area provides a unique opportunity to conduct an epidemiological study related to health effects due to chronic low dose-rate radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Hosoda
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan; Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Eka Djatnika Nugraha
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan; Center for Technology of Radiation Safety and Metrology, National Nuclear Energy Agency, JI. Lebak Bulus Raya No. 49, Jakarta 12440, Indonesia
| | - Naofumi Akata
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Ryohei Yamada
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan; Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering Laboratories, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 4-33, Muramatsu, Tokai-mura, Naka-gun, Ibaraki 319-1194, Japan
| | - Yuki Tamakuma
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan; Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Michiya Sasaki
- Radiation Safety Research Center, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, 2-11-1 Iwado kita, Komae, Tokyo 201-8511, Japan
| | - Kevin Kelleher
- Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Protection Agency, Richview, Clonskeagh Road, Dublin 14, Ireland
| | - Shinji Yoshinaga
- Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Takahito Suzuki
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Chanis Pornnumpa Rattanapongs
- Department of Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan, Lat Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Masahide Furukawa
- Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | - Masaru Yamaguchi
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Kazuki Iwaoka
- Center for Radiation Protection Knowledge, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1, Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Sanada
- Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, 7-Jo 15-4-1 Maeda, Teine, Sapporo, Hokkaido 006-8585, Japan
| | - Tomisato Miura
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Dadong Iskandar
- Center for Technology of Radiation Safety and Metrology, National Nuclear Energy Agency, JI. Lebak Bulus Raya No. 49, Jakarta 12440, Indonesia
| | - Eko Pudjadi
- Center for Technology of Radiation Safety and Metrology, National Nuclear Energy Agency, JI. Lebak Bulus Raya No. 49, Jakarta 12440, Indonesia
| | - Ikuo Kashiwakura
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Shinji Tokonami
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan.
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Su Y, Wang Y, Yoshinaga S, Zhu W, Tokonami S, Zou J, Tan G, Tsuji M, Akiba S, Sun Q. Lens opacity prevalence among the residents in high natural background radiation area in Yangjiang, China. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2021; 62:67-72. [PMID: 33006372 PMCID: PMC7779357 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rraa073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk and threshold doses of lens opacity among residents exposed to low-dose radiation. Residents aged ≥45 years were recruited from a high natural background radiation (HNBR) area in Yangjiang City and a control area selected from nearby Enping City. Lens opacities (LOPs) were classified according to the Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS) III system. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect information on lifestyles, migration and medical history. Life-time cumulative doses were estimated using gender, age, occupancy factors and environmental radiation doses received indoors and outdoors. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the dose response and determine thresholds. In the HNBR area, among 479 study participants, 101 (21.1%), 245(51.1%) and 23 cases (4.8%), respectively, of cortical, nuclear and posterior subcapsular (PSC) LOPs were found. In the control area, those types of LOPs were identified among 58 cases (12.6%), 206 cases (51.2%) and 6 cases (1.3%) of 462 examinees, respectively. Cumulative eye lens dose was estimated to be 189.5 ± 36.5 mGy in the HNBR area. Logistic analyses gave odds ratios at 100 mGy of 1.26 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-1.60], 0.81 (95% CI 0.64-1.01) and 1.73 (95% CI 1.05-2.85) for cortical, nuclear and PSC LOPs, respectively. For cortical LOPs, a logistic analysis with a threshold dose gave a threshold estimate of 140 mGy (90% CI 110-160 mGy). The results indicated that population exposed to life-time, low-dose-rate environmental radiation was at an elevated risk of cortical and PSC LOPs. A statistically significant threshold dose was obtained for cortical LOPs and no threshold dose for PSC LOPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinping Su
- Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Linyi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Linyi, Shandong 276000, China
| | - Shinji Yoshinaga
- Department of Environmetrics and Biometrics. Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Weiguo Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China
| | | | - Jianming Zou
- Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Guangxiang Tan
- Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Mayumi Tsuji
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan
| | - Suminori Akiba
- Kagoshima University, Sakuragaoka 8-35-1, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan
| | - Quanfu Sun
- Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China
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The Risk of Cancer from CT Scans and Other Sources of Low-Dose Radiation: A Critical Appraisal of Methodologic Quality. Prehosp Disaster Med 2020; 35:3-16. [PMID: 32009606 DOI: 10.1017/s1049023x1900520x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Concern exists that radiation exposure from computerized tomography (CT) will cause thousands of malignancies. Other experts share the same perspective regarding the risk from additional sources of low-dose ionizing radiation, such as the releases from Three Mile Island (1979; Pennsylvania USA) and Fukushima (2011; Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan) nuclear power plant disasters. If this premise is false, the fear of cancer leading patients and physicians to avoid CT scans and disaster responders to initiate forced evacuations is unfounded. STUDY OBJECTIVE This investigation provides a quantitative evaluation of the methodologic quality of studies to determine the evidentiary strength supporting or refuting a causal relationship between low-dose radiation and cancer. It will assess the number of higher quality studies that support or question the role of low-dose radiation in oncogenesis. METHODS This investigation is a systematic, methodologic review of articles published from 1975-2017 examining cancer risk from external low-dose x-ray and gamma radiation, defined as less than 200 millisievert (mSv). Following the PRISMA guidelines, the authors performed a search of the PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Methodologies of selected articles were scored using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) and a tool identifying 11 lower quality indicators. Manuscript methodologies were ranked as higher quality if they scored no lower than seven out of nine on the NOS and contained no more than two lower quality indicators. Investigators then characterized articles as supporting or not supporting a causal relationship between low-dose radiation and cancer. RESULTS Investigators identified 4,382 articles for initial review. A total of 62 articles met all inclusion/exclusion criteria and were evaluated in this study. Quantitative evaluation of the manuscripts' methodologic strengths found 25 studies met higher quality criteria while 37 studies met lower quality criteria. Of the 25 studies with higher quality methods, 21 out of 25 did not support cancer induction by low-dose radiation (P = .0003). CONCLUSIONS A clear preponderance of articles with higher quality methods found no increased risk of cancer from low-dose radiation. The evidence suggests that exposure to multiple CT scans and other sources of low-dose radiation with a cumulative dose up to 100 mSv (approximately 10 scans), and possibly as high as 200 mSv (approximately 20 scans), does not increase cancer risk.
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Ionizing Radiation and Translation Control: A Link to Radiation Hormesis? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186650. [PMID: 32932812 PMCID: PMC7555331 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein synthesis, or mRNA translation, is one of the most energy-consuming functions in cells. Translation of mRNA into proteins is thus highly regulated by and integrated with upstream and downstream signaling pathways, dependent on various transacting proteins and cis-acting elements within the substrate mRNAs. Under conditions of stress, such as exposure to ionizing radiation, regulatory mechanisms reprogram protein synthesis to translate mRNAs encoding proteins that ensure proper cellular responses. Interestingly, beneficial responses to low-dose radiation exposure, known as radiation hormesis, have been described in several models, but the molecular mechanisms behind this phenomenon are largely unknown. In this review, we explore how differences in cellular responses to high- vs. low-dose ionizing radiation are realized through the modulation of molecular pathways with a particular emphasis on the regulation of mRNA translation control.
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18
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Cuiju W, Shibiao S, Ying T, Rongzong L, Haijuan X, Huifeng C, Tianjian W. IL-2 and IL-2R gene polymorphisms and immune function in people residing in areas with high background radiation, Yangjiang, China. Int J Radiat Biol 2020; 96:1466-1472. [PMID: 32910717 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2020.1820607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Long-term exposure to low dose radiation may trigger immune response and stimulate hormesis. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) play a crucial role in immune function. We aimed to explore the possible association of IL-2 and IL-2R gene polymorphisms with low dose radiation exposure, as well as the relationship with IL-2 gene expression in people residing in areas with a high background radiation in Yangjiang, China. MATERIALS AND METHODS We recruited and assigned 54 native men residing in Yangxi County, Yangjiang city to the high natural background radiation (HNBR) group, and 53 native men residing in Hengpi County, Enping city to the control area (CA) group. All the participants wore a thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) for 90 days, and answered questionnaires. The serum levels of IL2, IL4, IL5, sIL2R, and tumor growth factor (TGF), and expression levels of IL2RA, IL2RB, IL2RG, and IL2 were also analyzed. Additionally, we tested 10 polymorphic loci associated with the IL-2 gene. RESULTS The annual effective radiation doses in the HNBR and CA groups were 6.24 mSv y-1 and 1.95 mSv y-1, respectively. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the serum levels of IL-2 and IL-5 were higher in the HNBR group than the CA group (p < .05), while the serum level of TGFβ was lower in the HNBR group (p < .05). The IL-2 gene mRNA expression level was higher in the HNBR group than the CA group (p < .05). The IL-2RB rs76206423 AA allele showed significant variations in the HNBR group (p = .0381). CONCLUSIONS Long-term exposure to low dose radiation may enhance immune function, and IL-2RB rs76206423 may be related to the expression of IL-2 by other coding variants. Moreover, our data provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanism of the immune response to low dose radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Cuiju
- Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangdong, China
| | - Su Shibiao
- Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangdong, China
| | - Tang Ying
- Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangdong, China
| | - Li Rongzong
- Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangdong, China
| | - Xu Haijuan
- Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangdong, China
| | - Chen Huifeng
- Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangdong, China
| | - Wang Tianjian
- Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangdong, China
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Sasaki M, Kudo S, Furuta H. Effect of Radiation Dose Rate on Circulatory Disease Mortality among Nuclear Workers: Reanalysis of Hanford Data. HEALTH PHYSICS 2020; 119:280-288. [PMID: 32205716 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000001230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The excess relative risk (ERR) of mortality for circulatory disease among nuclear workers was reanalyzed by taking into consideration the annual dose as the dose rate using publicly available epidemiological data of the Hanford site dedicated to the cohort study of nuclear workers in the US, the UK, and Canada. Values of the dose rate (cut-points) were chosen at 2 mSv y intervals from 2 to 40 mSv y, and risk estimates were made for 32,988 workers, considering the doses accumulated below and above each cut-point to have different effects. Similarly to that in the previous study for cancer by Sasaki et al., examinations of sensitivity analysis were also carried out for different risk models, lag periods, and impacts of adjusting the monitoring period to find the effect of the dose rate. As a result, emergence of a statistically significant difference between βL1, which is the ERR for the doses accumulated below the specified cut-point, and βH1, which is the ERR for that above the specified cut-point, was observed for cut-point of the dose rate of 4, 6, 34, 36, and 38 mSv y. While statistically negative values were estimated for βL1 (4 and 6 mSv y) and for βH1 (34, 36, and 38 mSv y), the overall relationship between the ERR and the cut-point of the dose rate was found to be similar to that obtained by the analysis of the mortality for all cancers excluding leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiya Sasaki
- Radiation Safety Research Center, Nuclear Technology Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, 2-11-1 Iwado kita, Komae-shi, Tokyo 201-8511, Japan
| | - Shin'ichi Kudo
- Institute of Radiation Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Association, 1-9-16 Kajicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0044, Japan
| | - Hiroshige Furuta
- Institute of Radiation Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Association, 1-9-16 Kajicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0044, Japan
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20
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Abend M, Nisbet A, Gering F, Averin V, Andersson K, Schneider T, Mothersill C, Zeeb H, Scholz-Kreisel P, Yamashita S, Pölz-Viol C, Port M. "Living in Contaminated Areas"-Consideration of Different Perspectives. HEALTH PHYSICS 2020; 119:2-11. [PMID: 32205714 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000001218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Following large-scale nuclear power plant accidents such as those that occurred at Chernobyl (Ukraine) in 1986 and Fukushima Daiichi (Japan) in 2011, large populations are living in areas containing residual amounts of radioactivity. As a key session of the ConRad conference, experts were invited from different disciplines to provide state-of-the-art information on the topic of "living in contaminated areas." These experts provided their different perspectives on a range of topics including radiation protection principles and dose criteria, environmental measurements and dose estimation, maintaining decent living and working conditions, evidence of health risks, and social impact and risk communication. A short summary of these different perspectives is provided in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Abend
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Neuherberg str. 11, 80937 Munich
| | - Anne Nisbet
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Neuherberg str. 11, 80937 Munich
| | - Florian Gering
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Neuherberg str. 11, 80937 Munich
| | - Viktor Averin
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Neuherberg str. 11, 80937 Munich
| | - Kasper Andersson
- Technical University of Denmark, DTU Environment, Radioecology and Tracer Studies Section, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Thierry Schneider
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Neuherberg str. 11, 80937 Munich
| | - Carmel Mothersill
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Neuherberg str. 11, 80937 Munich
| | - Hajo Zeeb
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Neuherberg str. 11, 80937 Munich
| | | | | | | | - Matthias Port
- Bundeswehr Institute of Radiobiology, Neuherberg str. 11, 80937 Munich
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21
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Hauptmann M, Daniels RD, Cardis E, Cullings HM, Kendall G, Laurier D, Linet MS, Little MP, Lubin JH, Preston DL, Richardson DB, Stram DO, Thierry-Chef I, Schubauer-Berigan MK, Gilbert ES, Berrington de Gonzalez A. Epidemiological Studies of Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation and Cancer: Summary Bias Assessment and Meta-Analysis. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 2020; 2020:188-200. [PMID: 32657347 PMCID: PMC8454205 DOI: 10.1093/jncimonographs/lgaa010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ionizing radiation is an established carcinogen, but risks from low-dose exposures are controversial. Since the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation VII review of the epidemiological data in 2006, many subsequent publications have reported excess cancer risks from low-dose exposures. Our aim was to systematically review these studies to assess the magnitude of the risk and whether the positive findings could be explained by biases. METHODS Eligible studies had mean cumulative doses of less than 100 mGy, individualized dose estimates, risk estimates, and confidence intervals (CI) for the dose-response and were published in 2006-2017. We summarized the evidence for bias (dose error, confounding, outcome ascertainment) and its likely direction for each study. We tested whether the median excess relative risk (ERR) per unit dose equals zero and assessed the impact of excluding positive studies with potential bias away from the null. We performed a meta-analysis to quantify the ERR and assess consistency across studies for all solid cancers and leukemia. RESULTS Of the 26 eligible studies, 8 concerned environmental, 4 medical, and 14 occupational exposure. For solid cancers, 16 of 22 studies reported positive ERRs per unit dose, and we rejected the hypothesis that the median ERR equals zero (P = .03). After exclusion of 4 positive studies with potential positive bias, 12 of 18 studies reported positive ERRs per unit dose (P = .12). For leukemia, 17 of 20 studies were positive, and we rejected the hypothesis that the median ERR per unit dose equals zero (P = .001), also after exclusion of 5 positive studies with potential positive bias (P = .02). For adulthood exposure, the meta-ERR at 100 mGy was 0.029 (95% CI = 0.011 to 0.047) for solid cancers and 0.16 (95% CI = 0.07 to 0.25) for leukemia. For childhood exposure, the meta-ERR at 100 mGy for leukemia was 2.84 (95% CI = 0.37 to 5.32); there were only two eligible studies of all solid cancers. CONCLUSIONS Our systematic assessments in this monograph showed that these new epidemiological studies are characterized by several limitations, but only a few positive studies were potentially biased away from the null. After exclusion of these studies, the majority of studies still reported positive risk estimates. We therefore conclude that these new epidemiological studies directly support excess cancer risks from low-dose ionizing radiation. Furthermore, the magnitude of the cancer risks from these low-dose radiation exposures was statistically compatible with the radiation dose-related cancer risks of the atomic bomb survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hauptmann
- Correspondence to: Michael Hauptmann, Institute of Biostatistics and Registry Research, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane. Fehrbelliner Straße 38, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany (e-mail: )
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22
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Daniels RD, Kendall GM, Thierry-Chef I, Linet MS, Cullings HM. Strengths and Weaknesses of Dosimetry Used in Studies of Low-Dose Radiation Exposure and Cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 2020; 2020:114-132. [PMID: 32657346 PMCID: PMC7667397 DOI: 10.1093/jncimonographs/lgaa001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A monograph systematically evaluating recent evidence on the dose-response relationship between low-dose ionizing radiation exposure and cancer risk required a critical appraisal of dosimetry methods in 26 potentially informative studies. METHODS The relevant literature included studies published in 2006-2017. Studies comprised case-control and cohort designs examining populations predominantly exposed to sparsely ionizing radiation, mostly from external sources, resulting in average doses of no more than 100 mGy. At least two dosimetrists reviewed each study and appraised the strengths and weaknesses of the dosimetry systems used, including assessment of sources and effects of dose estimation error. An overarching concern was whether dose error might cause the spurious appearance of a dose-response where none was present. RESULTS The review included 8 environmental, 4 medical, and 14 occupational studies that varied in properties relative to evaluation criteria. Treatment of dose estimation error also varied among studies, although few conducted a comprehensive evaluation. Six studies appeared to have known or suspected biases in dose estimates. The potential for these biases to cause a spurious dose-response association was constrained to three case-control studies that relied extensively on information gathered in interviews conducted after case ascertainment. CONCLUSIONS The potential for spurious dose-response associations from dose information appeared limited to case-control studies vulnerable to recall errors that may be differential by case status. Otherwise, risk estimates appeared reasonably free of a substantial bias from dose estimation error. Future studies would benefit from a comprehensive evaluation of dose estimation errors, including methods accounting for their potential effects on dose-response associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert D Daniels
- Division of Science Integration, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Gerald M Kendall
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, NDPH, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Isabelle Thierry-Chef
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain
| | - Martha S Linet
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Harry M Cullings
- Department of Statistics, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
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23
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Linet MS, Schubauer-Berigan MK, Berrington de González A. Outcome Assessment in Epidemiological Studies of Low-Dose Radiation Exposure and Cancer Risks: Sources, Level of Ascertainment, and Misclassification. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 2020; 2020:154-175. [PMID: 32657350 PMCID: PMC8454197 DOI: 10.1093/jncimonographs/lgaa007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Outcome assessment problems and errors that could lead to biased risk estimates in low-dose radiation epidemiological studies of cancer risks have not been systematically evaluated. METHODS Incidence or mortality risks for all cancers or all solid cancers combined and for leukemia were examined in 26 studies published in 2006-2017 involving low-dose (mean dose ≤100 mGy) radiation from environmental, medical, or occupational sources. We evaluated the impact of loss to follow-up, under- or overascertainment, outcome misclassification, and changing classifications occurring similarly or differentially across radiation dose levels. RESULTS Loss to follow-up was not reported in 62% of studies, but when reported it was generally small. Only one study critically evaluated the completeness of the sources of vital status. Underascertainment of cancers ("false negatives") was a potential shortcoming for cohorts that could not be linked with high-quality population-based registries, particularly during early years of exposure in five studies, in two lacking complete residential history, and in one with substantial emigration. False positives may have occurred as a result of cancer ascertainment from self- or next-of-kin report in three studies or from enhanced medical surveillance of exposed patients that could lead to detection bias (eg, reporting precancer lesions as physician-diagnosed cancer) in one study. Most pediatric but few adult leukemia studies used expert hematopathology review or current classifications. Only a few studies recoded solid cancers to the latest International Classification of Diseases or International Classification of Diseases for Oncology codes. These outcome assessment shortcomings were generally nondifferential in relation to radiation exposure level except possibly in four studies. CONCLUSION The majority of studies lacked information to enable comprehensive evaluation of all major sources of outcome assessment errors, although reported data suggested that the outcome assessment limitations generally had little effect on risk or biased estimates towards the null except possibly in four studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha S Linet
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS, Rockville, MD
| | - Mary K Schubauer-Berigan
- Monographs Programme, Evidence Synthesis and Classification Section, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Amy Berrington de González
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS, Rockville, MD
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Schubauer-Berigan MK, Berrington de Gonzalez A, Cardis E, Laurier D, Lubin JH, Hauptmann M, Richardson DB. Evaluation of Confounding and Selection Bias in Epidemiological Studies of Populations Exposed to Low-Dose, High-Energy Photon Radiation. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 2020; 2020:133-153. [PMID: 32657349 PMCID: PMC7355263 DOI: 10.1093/jncimonographs/lgaa008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low-dose, penetrating photon radiation exposure is ubiquitous, yet our understanding of cancer risk at low doses and dose rates derives mainly from high-dose studies. Although a large number of low-dose cancer studies have been recently published, concern exists about the potential for confounding to distort findings. The aim of this study was to describe and assess the likely impact of confounding and selection bias within the context of a systematic review. METHODS We summarized confounding control methods for 26 studies published from 2006 to 2017 by exposure setting (environmental, medical, or occupational) and identified confounders of potential concern. We used information from these and related studies to assess evidence for confounding and selection bias. For factors in which direct or indirect evidence of confounding was lacking for certain studies, we used a theoretical adjustment to determine whether uncontrolled confounding was likely to have affected the results. RESULTS For medical studies of childhood cancers, confounding by indication (CBI) was the main concern. Lifestyle-related factors were of primary concern for environmental and medical studies of adult cancers and for occupational studies. For occupational studies, other workplace exposures and healthy worker survivor bias were additionally of interest. For most of these factors, however, review of the direct and indirect evidence suggested that confounding was minimal. One study showed evidence of selection bias, and three occupational studies did not adjust for lifestyle or healthy worker survivor bias correlates. Theoretical adjustment for three factors (smoking and asbestos in occupational studies and CBI in childhood cancer studies) demonstrated that these were unlikely to explain positive study findings due to the rarity of exposure (eg, CBI) or the relatively weak association with the outcome (eg, smoking or asbestos and all cancers). CONCLUSION Confounding and selection bias are unlikely to explain the findings from most low-dose radiation epidemiology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary K Schubauer-Berigan
- Evidence Synthesis and Classification Section, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | | | - Elisabeth Cardis
- Radiation Programme, Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Dominique Laurier
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Jay H Lubin
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Michael Hauptmann
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (MH); Brandenburg Medical School, Institute of Biostatistics and Registry Research, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - David B Richardson
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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25
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Gilbert ES, Little MP, Preston DL, Stram DO. Issues in Interpreting Epidemiologic Studies of Populations Exposed to Low-Dose, High-Energy Photon Radiation. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 2020; 2020:176-187. [PMID: 32657345 PMCID: PMC7355296 DOI: 10.1093/jncimonographs/lgaa004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
This article addresses issues relevant to interpreting findings from 26 epidemiologic studies of persons exposed to low-dose radiation. We review the extensive data from both epidemiologic studies of persons exposed at moderate or high doses and from radiobiology that together have firmly established radiation as carcinogenic. We then discuss the use of the linear relative risk model that has been used to describe data from both low- and moderate- or high-dose studies. We consider the effects of dose measurement errors; these can reduce statistical power and lead to underestimation of risks but are very unlikely to bring about a spurious dose response. We estimate statistical power for the low-dose studies under the assumption that true risks of radiation-related cancers are those expected from studies of Japanese atomic bomb survivors. Finally, we discuss the interpretation of confidence intervals and statistical tests and the applicability of the Bradford Hill principles for a causal relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethel S Gilbert
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark P Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Daniel O Stram
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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26
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Berrington de Gonzalez A, Daniels RD, Cardis E, Cullings HM, Gilbert E, Hauptmann M, Kendall G, Laurier D, Linet MS, Little MP, Lubin JH, Preston DL, Richardson DB, Stram D, Thierry-Chef I, Schubauer-Berigan MK. Epidemiological Studies of Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation and Cancer: Rationale and Framework for the Monograph and Overview of Eligible Studies. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 2020; 2020:97-113. [PMID: 32657348 PMCID: PMC7610154 DOI: 10.1093/jncimonographs/lgaa009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Whether low-dose ionizing radiation can cause cancer is a critical and long-debated question in radiation protection. Since the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation report by the National Academies in 2006, new publications from large, well-powered epidemiological studies of low doses have reported positive dose-response relationships. It has been suggested, however, that biases could explain these findings. We conducted a systematic review of epidemiological studies with mean doses less than 100 mGy published 2006-2017. We required individualized doses and dose-response estimates with confidence intervals. We identified 26 eligible studies (eight environmental, four medical, and 14 occupational), including 91 000 solid cancers and 13 000 leukemias. Mean doses ranged from 0.1 to 82 mGy. The excess relative risk at 100 mGy was positive for 16 of 22 solid cancer studies and 17 of 20 leukemia studies. The aim of this monograph was to systematically review the potential biases in these studies (including dose uncertainty, confounding, and outcome misclassification) and to assess whether the subset of minimally biased studies provides evidence for cancer risks from low-dose radiation. Here, we describe the framework for the systematic bias review and provide an overview of the eligible studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert D Daniels
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Elisabeth Cardis
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ethel Gilbert
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics, Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael Hauptmann
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Institute of Biostatistics and Registry Research, Neuruppin, Germany
| | | | | | - Martha S Linet
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics, Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark P Little
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics, Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jay H Lubin
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics, Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Daniel Stram
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Isabelle Thierry-Chef
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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27
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Rühm W, Breckow J, Dietze G, Friedl A, Greinert R, Jacob P, Kistinger S, Michel R, Müller WU, Otten H, Streffer C, Weiss W. Dose limits for occupational exposure to ionising radiation and genotoxic carcinogens: a German perspective. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2020; 59:9-27. [PMID: 31677018 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-019-00817-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This paper summarises the view of the German Commission on Radiological Protection ("Strahlenschutzkommission", SSK) on the rationale behind the currently valid dose limits and dose constraints for workers recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The paper includes a discussion of the reasoning behind current dose limits followed by a discussion of the detriment used by ICRP as a measure for stochastic health effects. Studies on radiation-induced cancer are reviewed because this endpoint represents the most important contribution to detriment. Recent findings on radiation-induced circulatory disease that are currently not included in detriment calculation are also reviewed. It appeared that for detriment calculations the contribution of circulatory diseases plays only a secondary role, although the uncertainties involved in their risk estimates are considerable. These discussions are complemented by a review of the procedures currently in use in Germany, or in discussion elsewhere, to define limits for genotoxic carcinogens. To put these concepts in perspective, actual occupational radiation exposures are exemplified with data from Germany, for the year 2012, and regulations in Germany are compared to the recommendations issued by ICRP. Conclusions include, among others, considerations on radiation protection concepts currently in use and recommendations of the SSK on the limitation of annual effective dose and effective dose cumulated over a whole working life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werner Rühm
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Radiation Therapy, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Oberschleißheim, Germany.
| | | | - Günter Dietze
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Anna Friedl
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Peter Jacob
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Heinz Otten
- Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung, Berlin, Germany
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28
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Pinto PV, Sudeep Kumara K, Karunakara N. Mass exhalation rates, emanation coefficients and enrichment pattern of radon, thoron in various grain size fractions of monazite rich beach placers. RADIAT MEAS 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2019.106220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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29
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Omori Y, Sorimachi A, Gun-Aajav M, Enkhgerel N, Munkherdene G, Oyunbolor G, Shajbalidir A, Palam E, Yamada C. Gamma dose rate distribution in the Unegt subbasin, a uranium deposit area in Dornogobi Province, southeastern Mongolia. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:33494-33506. [PMID: 31529344 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06420-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Unegt subbasin in Dornogobi Province, southeastern Mongolia, contains the Dulaan Uul uranium deposit, for which development for commercial mining has been conducted as of 2015. Zuunbayan is a commune located close to the Dulaan Uul uranium deposit, and residents of Zuunbayan and their livestock can easily approach the uranium deposit area, including an aboveground dump site, which was created as a result of the mining development. The present study measured and analyzed the gamma dose rate (absorbed dose rate in air) distribution in Unegt subbasin using data collected from a car-borne measurement survey. The gamma dose rate increased from the northern (45-65 nGy/h) to the central (50-69 nGy/h, including Zuunbayan) and the southern (54-195 nGy/h, including Dulaan Uul) parts of the study area. The gamma dose rates (up to 195 nGy/h) around the dump site in Dulaan Uul were significantly higher than the background level (< 80 nGy/h) at several points. Additional in-situ measurements showed that the gamma dose rates reached up to 450 nGy/h at these locations, which was primarily attributed to the gamma radiation emitted by 238U series elements. Spatial distribution of gamma dose rates around the dump site revealed that the gamma radiation did not originate from the dump, but from the ground, at the measurement points. Analysis of collected soil samples showed that 238U and 226Ra were concentrated in deeper soil. These results indicate that the gamma dose rates higher than the background level were not associated with the aboveground mine dump; rather, they were very probably caused by presence of uranium deposits close to the ground surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasutaka Omori
- Department of Radiation Physics and Chemistry, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Atsuyuki Sorimachi
- Department of Radiation Physics and Chemistry, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Manlaijav Gun-Aajav
- The Executive Office of the Nuclear Energy Commission, Uildverchid Street 2, Khan Uul District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Nyamdavaa Enkhgerel
- The Executive Office of the Nuclear Energy Commission, Uildverchid Street 2, Khan Uul District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Ganbat Munkherdene
- The Executive Office of the Nuclear Energy Commission, Uildverchid Street 2, Khan Uul District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Galnemekh Oyunbolor
- The Executive Office of the Nuclear Energy Commission, Uildverchid Street 2, Khan Uul District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Amarbileg Shajbalidir
- Center for Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring of Dornogobi Province, Sainshand, Dornogobi, Mongolia
| | - Enkhtuya Palam
- National Center for Public Health, Ministry of Health, 17 Peace Avenue, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Chieri Yamada
- Department of Public Health Nursing for International Radiation Exposure, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
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30
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Sadakane A, French B, Brenner AV, Preston DL, Sugiyama H, Grant EJ, Sakata R, Utada M, Cahoon EK, Mabuchi K, Ozasa K. Radiation and Risk of Liver, Biliary Tract, and Pancreatic Cancers among Atomic Bomb Survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki: 1958-2009. Radiat Res 2019; 192:299-310. [PMID: 31291162 PMCID: PMC10273724 DOI: 10.1667/rr15341.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The Life Span Study (LSS) of atomic bomb survivors has consistently demonstrated significant excess radiation-related risks of liver cancer since the first cancer incidence report. Here, we present updated information on radiation risks of liver, biliary tract and pancreatic cancers based on 11 additional years of follow-up since the last report, from 1958 to 2009. The current analyses used improved individual radiation doses and accounted for the effects of alcohol consumption, smoking and body mass index. The study participants included 105,444 LSS participants with known individual radiation dose and no known history of cancer at the start of follow-up. Cases were the first primary incident cancers of the liver (including intrahepatic bile duct), biliary tract (gallbladder and other and unspecified parts of biliary tract) or pancreas identified through linkage with population-based cancer registries in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Poisson regression methods were used to estimate excess relative risks (ERRs) and excess absolute risks (EARs) associated with DS02R1 doses for liver (liver and biliary tract cancers) or pancreas (pancreatic cancer). We identified 2,016 incident liver cancer cases during the follow-up period. Radiation dose was significantly associated with liver cancer risk (ERR per Gy: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.23 to 0.89; EAR per 10,000 person-year Gy: 5.32, 95% CI: 2.49 to 8.51). There was no evidence for curvature in the radiation dose response (P=0.344). ERRs by age-at-exposure categories were significantly increased among those who were exposed at 0-9, 10-19 and 20-29 years, but not significantly increased after age 30 years, although there was no statistical evidence of heterogeneity in these ERRs (P = 0.378). The radiation ERRs were not affected by adjustment for smoking, alcohol consumption or body mass index. As in previously reported studies, radiation dose was not associated with risk of biliary tract cancer (ERR per Gy: -0.02, 95% CI: -0.25 to 0.30). Radiation dose was associated with a nonsignificant increase in pancreatic cancer risk (ERR per Gy: 0.38, 95% CI: <0 to 0.83). The increased risk was statistically significant among women (ERR per Gy: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.12 to 1.45), but not among men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuko Sadakane
- Department of Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Benjamin French
- Department of Statistics, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Alina V. Brenner
- Department of Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | | | - Hiromi Sugiyama
- Department of Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Eric J. Grant
- Associate Chief of Research, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Ritsu Sakata
- Department of Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Mai Utada
- Department of Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Elizabeth K. Cahoon
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Kiyohiko Mabuchi
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Kotaro Ozasa
- Department of Epidemiology, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
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Boice JD, Held KD, Shore RE. Radiation epidemiology and health effects following low-level radiation exposure. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2019; 39:S14-S27. [PMID: 31272090 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ab2f3d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Radiation epidemiology is the study of human disease following radiation exposure to populations. Epidemiologic studies of radiation-exposed populations have been conducted for nearly 100 years, starting with the radium dial painters in the 1920s and most recently with large-scale studies of radiation workers. As radiation epidemiology has become increasingly sophisticated it is used for setting radiation protection standards as well as to guide the compensation programmes in place for nuclear weapons workers, nuclear weapons test participants, and other occupationally exposed workers in the United States and elsewhere. It is known with high assurance that radiation effects at levels above 100-150 mGy can be detected as evidenced in multiple population studies conducted around the world. The challenge for radiation epidemiology is evaluating the effects at low doses, below about 100 mGy of low-linear energy transfer radiation, and assessing the risks following low dose-rate exposures over years. The weakness of radiation epidemiology in directly studying low dose and low dose-rate exposures is that the signal, i.e. the excess numbers of cancers associated with low-level radiation exposure, is so very small that it cannot be seen against the very high background occurrence of cancer in the population, i.e. a lifetime risk of incidence reaching up to about 38% (i.e. 1 in 3 persons will develop a cancer in their lifetime). Thus, extrapolation models are used for the management of risk at low doses and low dose rates, but having adequate information from low dose and low dose-rate studies would be highly desirable. An overview of recently conducted radiation epidemiologic studies which evaluate risk following low-level radiation exposures is presented. Future improvements in risk assessment for radiation protection may come from increasingly informative epidemiologic studies, combined with mechanistic radiobiologic understanding of adverse outcome pathways, with both incorporated into biologically based models.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Boice
- National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America. Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
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S M J M, Gh M, S A R M, M P. Is Induction of Anomalies in Lymphocytes of the Residents of High Background Radiation Areas Associated with Increased Cancer Risk? J Biomed Phys Eng 2019; 9:367-372. [PMID: 31341882 PMCID: PMC6613150 DOI: 10.31661/jbpe.v9i3jun.654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Man has been exposed to different levels of natural background radiation since the creation of human life. There are inhabited areas around the world with extraordinary levels of natural background radiation. The level of natural radiation in these areas is up to two orders of magnitude higher than other places. Areas such as Yangjiang, China; Guarapari, Brazil; and Kerala, India are among the areas with high levels of natural radiation. Ramsar a coastal city in North Iran has some inhabited areas with the highest known levels of background radiation around the world. People who live in high background radiation areas (HBRAs) such as Ramsar do not record any detrimental biological effects. While some cytogenetic studies conducted in HBRAs have shown increased frequencies of unstable chromosome aberration, other investigations failed to find a significant difference. This short review is an attempt to verify if induction of chromosomal anomalies in the lymphocytes of the residents of high background radiation areas is associated with increased cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mortazavi S M J
- Professor of Medical Physics, Medical Physics Department, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mortazavi Gh
- Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mortazavi S A R
- Student of Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Paknahad M
- Oral and Dental Disease Research Center, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Assistant Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Wang P, Zhang H, Li Z, Liu X, Jin Y, Lei M, Jiao Z, Bi Y, Guo W. Low-Dose Radiation Promotes the Proliferation and Migration of AGE-Treated Endothelial Progenitor Cells Derived from Bone Marrow via Activating SDF-1/CXCR4/ERK Signaling Pathway. Radiat Res 2019; 191:518-526. [PMID: 30925138 DOI: 10.1667/rr15200.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Low-dose radiation (LDR) has been confirmed to mobilize bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and promote diabetic wound healing. But it is unclear whether LDR acts directly on EPCs and promotes their proliferation and migration. Given the key role of advanced glycosylation end products (AGE) in the pathogenesis of diabetes, we used AGE to induce EPC damage. We then investigated the effect of LDR on the proliferation and migration of AGE-treated EPCs and explored the underlying mechanisms. EPCs cultured in vitro were treated with different concentrations of AGE, and the cells were then exposed to different low doses and treated with a specific antagonist for CXCR4, AMD3100 (1 lmol/l). The proliferation and migration abilities of EPCs were detected using the CCK-8 and wound healing assays, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in AGE-treated EPCs were measured using qPCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. The expressions of ERK and phosphorylated ERK (pERK) were detected using Western blot analysis. The results showed that 200 mg/l and 400 mg/l AGE had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of EPCs, and this inhibitory effect was exerted in a dose- and time-dependent manner. AGE significantly reduced the migration ability of EPCs cultured in vitro. After the cells received either 50 or 75 mGy low-dose irradiation, the proliferation of EPCs and AGE-treated EPCs was clearly increased; in addition, LDR also enhanced cell migration ability, but this enhancement was counteracted by AMD3100. Results from qPCR and Western blot analysis showed that LDR increased the mRNA and protein expression of SDF-1/ CXCR4. LDR also upregulated pERK expression in EPCs and AGE-treated EPCs, but LDR-induced upregulation of pERK expression was inhibited by AMD3100. These findings indicate that LDR can directly activate the SDF-1/CXCR4 biological axis and downstream ERK signaling pathway, and promote the proliferation and migration abilities of EPCs by increasing the expression of SDF-1, CXCR4 and pERK in EPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Wang
- Departments of a Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
| | | | - Zhuo Li
- c Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Xiaobo Liu
- Departments of a Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
| | - Yingli Jin
- d Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Manman Lei
- c Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Zixuan Jiao
- c Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Yaru Bi
- c Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, P.R. China
| | - Weiying Guo
- c Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, P.R. China
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Shore RE, Beck HL, Boice JD, Caffrey EA, Davis S, Grogan HA, Mettler FA, Preston RJ, Till JE, Wakeford R, Walsh L, Dauer LT. Recent Epidemiologic Studies and the Linear No-Threshold Model For Radiation Protection-Considerations Regarding NCRP Commentary 27. HEALTH PHYSICS 2019; 116:235-246. [PMID: 30585971 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000001015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements Commentary 27 examines recent epidemiologic data primarily from low-dose or low dose-rate studies of low linear-energy-transfer radiation and cancer to assess whether they support the linear no-threshold model as used in radiation protection. The commentary provides a critical review of low-dose or low dose-rate studies, most published within the last 10 y, that are applicable to current occupational, environmental, and medical radiation exposures. The strengths and weaknesses of the epidemiologic methods, dosimetry assessments, and statistical modeling of 29 epidemiologic studies of total solid cancer, leukemia, breast cancer, and thyroid cancer, as well as heritable effects and a few nonmalignant conditions, were evaluated. An appraisal of the degree to which the low-dose or low dose-rate studies supported a linear no-threshold model for radiation protection or on the contrary, demonstrated sufficient evidence that the linear no-threshold model is inappropriate for the purposes of radiation protection was also included. The review found that many, though not all, studies of solid cancer supported the continued use of the linear no-threshold model in radiation protection. Evaluations of the principal studies of leukemia and low-dose or low dose-rate radiation exposure also lent support for the linear no-threshold model as used in protection. Ischemic heart disease, a major type of cardiovascular disease, was examined briefly, but the results of recent studies were considered too weak or inconsistent to allow firm conclusions regarding support of the linear no-threshold model. It is acknowledged that the possible risks from very low doses of low linear-energy-transfer radiation are small and uncertain and that it may never be possible to prove or disprove the validity of the linear no-threshold assumption by epidemiologic means. Nonetheless, the preponderance of recent epidemiologic data on solid cancer is supportive of the continued use of the linear no-threshold model for the purposes of radiation protection. This conclusion is in accord with judgments by other national and international scientific committees, based on somewhat older data. Currently, no alternative dose-response relationship appears more pragmatic or prudent for radiation protection purposes than the linear no-threshold model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy E Shore
- New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, and Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan (retired)
| | | | - John D Boice
- National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda, MD, and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
| | | | - Scott Davis
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
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35
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Obodovskiy I. Residents of Areas With High Natural Background Radiation. RADIATION 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-63979-0.00053-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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36
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Imaoka T, Nishimura M, Daino K, Hosoki A, Takabatake M, Nishimura Y, Kokubo T, Morioka T, Doi K, Shimada Y, Kakinuma S. Prominent Dose-Rate Effect and Its Age Dependence of Rat Mammary Carcinogenesis Induced by Continuous Gamma-Ray Exposure. Radiat Res 2018; 191:245-254. [PMID: 30543491 DOI: 10.1667/rr15094.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Although the risk of breast cancer after high-dose-rate irradiation has been firmly established, however, the risk incurred for low-dose-rate irradiation is not well understood. Here we provide experimental evidence for dose rate and age dependencies induced by continuous γ-ray irradiation on mammary carcinogenesis. Female rats received continuous whole-body irradiation at one of the following time points: at 7 weeks of age (denoted adults) at a dose rate of 3-60 mGy/h (4 Gy total); or at either 3 weeks (denoted juveniles) or 7 weeks of age at a dose rate of 6 mGy/h (1-8 Gy total). Additional rats were acutely irradiated at 13 weeks of age at a dose rate of 30 Gy/h (0.5-4 Gy total). We observed the incidence of mammary tumors by weekly palpation until they were 90 weeks old and after pathological inspection upon autopsy. The tumor incidence rate for each group was characterized by Cox regression analysis. When adult rats were irradiated at 60 mGy/h for a total of 4 Gy, their hazard ratio for mammary carcinoma significantly increased relative to nonirradiated controls; however, for adult rats irradiated at 3-24 mGy/h, even though they also received a total of 4 Gy, their hazard ratio for carcinoma incidence did not significantly increase. A larger increase in the incidence rate of carcinoma per dose was found for the juveniles than for the adults irradiated at 6 mGy/h, whereas age did not influence the effect of acute irradiation at 30 Gy/h; a threshold-like dose response was observed for irradiation at 6 mGy/h (threshold, ∼2.5 and ∼4 Gy for juveniles and adults, respectively). Regarding benign tumors of the mammary gland, a significant increase in their incidence was observed for irradiation down to 6 mGy/h, but not at 3 mGy/h and there was no evidence of age-dependent induction. Thus, induction of female rat mammary carcinogenesis by continuous γ-ray exposure was age dependent and drastically increased for adult rats that received between 24 and 60 mGy/h irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuhiko Imaoka
- a Department of Radiation Effects Research, National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Chiba, Japan.,d QST Advanced Study Laboratory, QST, Chiba, Japan.,e Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mayumi Nishimura
- a Department of Radiation Effects Research, National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Chiba, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Daino
- a Department of Radiation Effects Research, National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Chiba, Japan
| | - Ayaka Hosoki
- f Fukushima Project Headquarters, NIRS, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masaru Takabatake
- a Department of Radiation Effects Research, National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Chiba, Japan.,e Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukiko Nishimura
- a Department of Radiation Effects Research, National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Chiba, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Kokubo
- b Department of Engineering and Safety, National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Chiba, Japan
| | - Takamitsu Morioka
- a Department of Radiation Effects Research, National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Chiba, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Doi
- c Center for Radiation Protection Knowledge, National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshiya Shimada
- e Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan.,g Executive Director, QST, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shizuko Kakinuma
- a Department of Radiation Effects Research, National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Chiba, Japan
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37
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Tang FR, Loganovsky K. Low dose or low dose rate ionizing radiation-induced health effect in the human. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 192:32-47. [PMID: 29883875 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The extensive literature review on human epidemiological studies suggests that low dose ionizing radiation (LDIR) (≤100 mSv) or low dose rate ionizing radiation (LDRIR) (<6mSv/H) exposure could induce either negative or positive health effects. These changes may depend on genetic background, age (prenatal day for embryo), sex, nature of radiation exposure, i.e., acute or chronic irradiation, radiation sources (such as atomic bomb attack, fallout from nuclear weapon test, nuclear power plant accidents, 60Co-contaminated building, space radiation, high background radiation, medical examinations or procedures) and radionuclide components and human epidemiological experimental designs. Epidemiological and clinical studies show that LDIR or LDRIR exposure may induce cancer, congenital abnormalities, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, cognitive and other neuropsychiatric disorders, cataracts and other eye and somatic pathology (endocrine, bronchopulmonary, digestive, etc). LDIR or LDRIR exposure may also reduce mutation and cancer mortality rates. So far, the mechanisms of LDIR- or LDRIR -induced health effect are poorly understood. Further extensive studies are still needed to clarify under what circumstances, LDIR or LDRIR exposure may induce positive or negative effects, which may facilitate development of new therapeutic approaches to prevent or treat the radiation-induced human diseases or enhance radiation-induced positive health effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Ru Tang
- Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative, National University of Singapore, 138602, Singapore.
| | - Konstantin Loganovsky
- Radiation Psychoneurology Department, Institute of Clinical Radiology, State Institution "National Research Centre for Radiation Medicne, National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine", 53 Melnikov Str., Kyiv, 04050, Ukraine
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38
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Kendall GM, Chernyavskiy P, Appleton JD, Miles JCH, Wakeford R, Athanson M, Vincent TJ, McColl NP, Little MP. Modelling the bimodal distribution of indoor gamma-ray dose-rates in Great Britain. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2018; 57:321-347. [PMID: 30132159 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-018-0752-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Gamma radiation from naturally occurring sources (including directly ionizing cosmic-rays) is a major component of background radiation. An understanding of the magnitude and variation of doses from these sources is important, and the ability to predict them is required for epidemiological studies. In the present paper, indoor measurements of naturally occurring gamma-rays at representative locations in Great Britain are summarized. It is shown that, although the individual measurement data appear unimodal, the distribution of gamma-ray dose-rates when averaged over relatively small areas, which probably better represents the underlying distribution with inter-house variation reduced, appears bimodal. The dose-rate distributions predicted by three empirical and geostatistical models are also bimodal and compatible with the distributions of the areally averaged dose-rates. The distribution of indoor gamma-ray dose-rates in the UK is compared with those in other countries, which also tend to appear bimodal (or possibly multimodal). The variation of indoor gamma-ray dose-rates with geology, socio-economic status of the area, building type, and period of construction are explored. The factors affecting indoor dose-rates from background gamma radiation are complex and frequently intertwined, but geology, period of construction, and socio-economic status are influential; the first is potentially most influential, perhaps, because it can be used as a general proxy for local building materials. Various statistical models are tested for predicting indoor gamma-ray dose-rates at unmeasured locations. Significant improvements over previous modelling are reported. The dose-rate estimates generated by these models reflect the imputed underlying distribution of dose-rates and provide acceptable predictions at geographical locations without measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Kendall
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, NDPH, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK.
| | - P Chernyavskiy
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, DHHS, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Ross Hall 331, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82071-3036, USA
| | - J D Appleton
- British Geological Survey, Kingsley Dunham Centre, Nicker Hill, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK
| | - J C H Miles
- , Nobles Close, Grove, Oxfordshire, OX12 0NR, UK
| | - R Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Institute of Population Health, The University of Manchester, Ellen Wilkinson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - M Athanson
- Bodleian Library, University of Oxford, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG, UK
| | - T J Vincent
- Childhood Cancer Research Group, University of Oxford, New Richards Building, Old Road, Oxford, UK
| | - N P McColl
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Didcot Oxon, OX11 0RQ, UK
| | - M P Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, DHHS, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892-9778, USA
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39
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Shore RE, Beck HL, Boice JD, Caffrey EA, Davis S, Grogan HA, Mettler FA, Preston RJ, Till JE, Wakeford R, Walsh L, Dauer LT. Implications of recent epidemiologic studies for the linear nonthreshold model and radiation protection. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2018; 38:1217-1233. [PMID: 30004025 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/aad348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The recently published NCRP Commentary No. 27 evaluated the new information from epidemiologic studies as to their degree of support for applying the linear nonthreshold (LNT) model of carcinogenic effects for radiation protection purposes (NCRP 2018 Implications of Recent Epidemiologic Studies for the Linear Nonthreshold Model and Radiation Protection, Commentary No. 27 (Bethesda, MD: National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements)). The aim was to determine whether recent epidemiologic studies of low-LET radiation, particularly those at low doses and/or low dose rates (LD/LDR), broadly support the LNT model of carcinogenic risk or, on the contrary, demonstrate sufficient evidence that the LNT model is inappropriate for the purposes of radiation protection. An updated review was needed because a considerable number of reports of radiation epidemiologic studies based on new or updated data have been published since other major reviews were conducted by national and international scientific committees. The Commentary provides a critical review of the LD/LDR studies that are most directly applicable to current occupational, environmental and medical radiation exposure circumstances. This Memorandum summarises several of the more important LD/LDR studies that incorporate radiation dose responses for solid cancer and leukemia that were reviewed in Commentary No. 27. In addition, an overview is provided of radiation studies of breast and thyroid cancers, and cancer after childhood exposures. Non-cancers are briefly touched upon such as ischemic heart disease, cataracts, and heritable genetic effects. To assess the applicability and utility of the LNT model for radiation protection, the Commentary evaluated 29 epidemiologic studies or groups of studies, primarily of total solid cancer, in terms of strengths and weaknesses in their epidemiologic methods, dosimetry approaches, and statistical modelling, and the degree to which they supported a LNT model for continued use in radiation protection. Recommendations for how to make epidemiologic radiation studies more informative are outlined. The NCRP Committee recognises that the risks from LD/LDR exposures are small and uncertain. The Committee judged that the available epidemiologic data were broadly supportive of the LNT model and that at this time no alternative dose-response relationship appears more pragmatic or prudent for radiation protection purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- R E Shore
- New York University School of Medicine, New York, United States of America. Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
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Su S, Zhou S, Wen C, Zou J, Zhang D, Geng J, Yang M, Liu M, Li L, Wen W. Evidence for Adaptive Response in a Molecular Epidemiological Study of the Inhabitants of a High Background-radiation Area of Yangjiang, China. HEALTH PHYSICS 2018; 115:227-234. [PMID: 29957687 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000000860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Our previous studies have shown that cancer mortality in high background-radiation areas of China was lower than that in a control area, indicating the possibility of an adaptive response in high background-radiation areas. Our aim is to determine the effect of low-dose radiation on the level of DNA oxidative damage, DNA damage repair, antioxidant capacity, and apoptosis in high background-radiation area and control area populations of Guangdong through a molecular epidemiological study in order to identify adaptive response. Blood samples were collected from male residents aged 50 to 59 y in a high background-radiation area (Yangjiang) and a control area (Enping), and activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione, catalase, total antioxidant capacity, and expression of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase gene (MGMT), human 8-oxoguanine DNA N-glycosylase 1 gene (hOGG1), proapoptotic genes and antiapoptotic genes, oxidative-stress-related genes, as well as concentrations of 8-OHdG, TrxR, HSP27, and MT-COX2 were determined. The activities of antioxidative enzymes, relative mRNA expression level of DNA repair genes, antiapoptotic genes, oxidative-stress-related genes HSPB1 and MT-COX2, and the concentration of antioxidant index TrxR in the high background-radiation area population increased significantly compared to the control population (p < 0.05). The relative mRNA expression level of proapoptotic genes and the concentration of DNA oxidative damage index 8-OHdG were significantly lower in the high background-radiation area compared to those in the control area (p < 0.05). In conclusion, under long-term, natural, high background, ionizing radiation, DNA damage-repair capacity and antioxidant capacity of inhabitants in the high background-radiation area may be enhanced. Additionally, it could induce up regulation of cell-survival gene expression and down regulation of apoptotic gene expression. It might be speculated that enhanced antioxidant and DNA repair capacity and inhibition of apoptosis might play important roles in adaptive response of low-dose radiation in high background-radiation areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shibiao Su
- 1Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Diseases Prevention and Treatment-Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Wei Wen
- Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Diseases Prevention and Treatment-Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment, Guangzhou 510300, China
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41
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Cardarelli JJ, Ulsh BA. It Is Time to Move Beyond the Linear No-Threshold Theory for Low-Dose Radiation Protection. Dose Response 2018; 16:1559325818779651. [PMID: 30013457 PMCID: PMC6043938 DOI: 10.1177/1559325818779651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is the primary federal agency responsible for promulgating regulations and policies to protect people and the environment from ionizing radiation. Currently, the USEPA uses the linear no-threshold (LNT) model to estimate cancer risks and determine cleanup levels in radiologically contaminated environments. The LNT model implies that there is no safe dose of ionizing radiation; however, adverse effects from low dose, low-dose rate (LDDR) exposures are not detectable. This article (1) provides the scientific basis for discontinuing use of the LNT model in LDDR radiation environments, (2) shows that there is no scientific consensus for using the LNT model, (3) identifies USEPA reliance on outdated scientific information, and (4) identifies regulatory reliance on incomplete evaluations of recent data contradicting the LNT. It is the time to reconsider the use of the LNT model in LDDR radiation environments. Incorporating the latest science into the regulatory process for risk assessment will (1) ensure science remains the foundation for decision making, (2) reduce unnecessary burdens of costly cleanups, (3) educate the public on the real effects of LDDR radiation exposures, and (4) harmonize government policies with the rest of the radiation scientific community.
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Rühm W, Azizova T, Bouffler S, Cullings HM, Grosche B, Little MP, Shore RS, Walsh L, Woloschak GE. Typical doses and dose rates in studies pertinent to radiation risk inference at low doses and low dose rates. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2018; 59:ii1-ii10. [PMID: 29432579 PMCID: PMC5941142 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrx093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In order to quantify radiation risks at exposure scenarios relevant for radiation protection, often extrapolation of data obtained at high doses and high dose rates down to low doses and low dose rates is needed. Task Group TG91 on 'Radiation Risk Inference at Low-dose and Low-dose Rate Exposure for Radiological Protection Purposes' of the International Commission on Radiological Protection is currently reviewing the relevant cellular, animal and human studies that could be used for that purpose. This paper provides an overview of dose rates and doses typically used or present in those studies, and compares them with doses and dose rates typical of those received by the A-bomb survivors in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werner Rühm
- Institute of Radiation Protection, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Tamara Azizova
- Southern Urals Biophysics Institute (SUBI), Ozyorskoe Shosse 19, 456780, Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, Russian Federation
| | - Simon Bouffler
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England (PHE), Chilton, Didcot OX11 ORQ, UK
| | - Harry M Cullings
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5–2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Bernd Grosche
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Mark P Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | - Roy S Shore
- New York University School of Medicine, 650 First Ave., New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Linda Walsh
- Medical Physics Group, Department of Physics, Science Faculty, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Gayle E Woloschak
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, Radiology, and Cell and Molecular Biology, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 300 E. Superior St., Tarry 4-760, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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43
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Affiliation(s)
- David G. Hoel
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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44
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Jargin SV. Re: The high price of public fear of low-dose radiation. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2017; 37:797-799. [PMID: 28675752 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/aa7c69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sergei V Jargin
- People's Friendship University of Russia, Clementovski per 6-82, 115184 Moscow, Russia
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45
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Sasaki M. Photon-Fluence-Weighted let for Radiation Fields Subjected to Epidemiological Studies. HEALTH PHYSICS 2017; 113:143-148. [PMID: 28658060 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000000683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In order to estimate the uncertainty of the radiation risk associated with the photon energy in epidemiological studies, photon-fluence-weighted LET values were quantified for photon radiation fields with the target organs and irradiation conditions taken into consideration. The photon fluences giving a unit absorbed dose to the target organ were estimated by using photon energy spectra together with the dose conversion coefficients given in ICRP Publication 116 for the target organs of the colon, bone marrow, stomach, lung, skin and breast with three irradiation geometries. As a result, it was demonstrated that the weighted LET values did not show a clear difference among the photon radiation fields subjected to epidemiological studies, regardless of the target organ and the irradiation geometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiya Sasaki
- *Radiation Safety Research Center, Nuclear Technology Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, 2-11-1 Iwado kita, Komae-shi, Tokyo 201-8511 Japan
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Shore R, Walsh L, Azizova T, Rühm W. Risk of solid cancer in low dose-rate radiation epidemiological studies and the dose-rate effectiveness factor. Int J Radiat Biol 2017; 93:1064-1078. [DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2017.1319090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Roy Shore
- Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, U.S.A
| | - Linda Walsh
- Department of Physics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tamara Azizova
- Clinical Department, Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, Ozyorsk, Russia
| | - Werner Rühm
- Department of Radiation Sciences, Institute of Radiation Protection, Helmholtz Centre Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
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Tsuda T, Lindahl L, Tokinobu A. Ethical Issues Related to the Promotion of a “100 mSv Threshold Assumption” in Japan after the Fukushima Nuclear Accident in 2011: Background and Consequences. Curr Environ Health Rep 2017; 4:119-129. [DOI: 10.1007/s40572-017-0145-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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Omori Y, Wakamatsu H, Sorimachi A, Ishikawa T. Radiation survey on Fukushima Medical University premises about four years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Fukushima J Med Sci 2016; 62:1-17. [PMID: 26911302 PMCID: PMC5131576 DOI: 10.5387/fms.2015-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was conducted on the Fukushima Medical University (FMU) premises (in Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture) about four years after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Its objectives were (1) to create a map of the ambient gamma dose rate (air-kerma rate) distribution, (2) to evaluate the air-kerma rate originating from natural radionuclides, and (3) to investigate the effects of snow cover on changes in the air-kerma rate. This man-borne survey revealed that the air-kerma rate varies widely, ranging from 0.038 μGy h(-1) to 0.520 μGy h(-1), and is higher on grass than on the other investigated surface types, such as soil, asphalt, and bricks. In this area, the mean air-kerma rate from natural radiation was evaluated to be 0.03 ± 0.01 μGy h(-1), which is close to 0.04 μGy h(-1), which was measured in central Fukushima City by a local authority.Furthermore, snowfall was found to reduce the air-kerma rate by 5%-30%. This reduction was attributed to attenuation of the primary radiation while passing through the snow cover, and the measured contribution of scattered radiation to the air-kerma rate reduction was small. The reduction rate was found to depend on the initial snow depth but to maintain a similar value for a couple of days, after the snow had partially melted and its depth had decreased. Finally, analysis of the daily dose due to external exposure received on the FMU premises revealed that no further health effects due to chronic radiation exposure at this site are to be expected.
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Rühm W, Azizova TV, Bouffler SD, Little MP, Shore RE, Walsh L, Woloschak GE. Dose-rate effects in radiation biology and radiation protection. Ann ICRP 2016; 45:262-279. [PMID: 26960819 DOI: 10.1177/0146645316629336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Quantification of biological effects (cancer, other diseases, and cell damage) associated with exposure to ionising radiation has been a major issue for the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) since its foundation in 1928. While there is a wealth of information on the effects on human health for whole-body doses above approximately 100 mGy, the effects associated with doses below 100 mGy are still being investigated and debated intensively. The current radiological protection approach, proposed by ICRP for workers and the public, is largely based on risks obtained from high-dose and high-dose-rate studies, such as the Japanese Life Span Study on atomic bomb survivors. The risk coefficients obtained from these studies can be reduced by the dose and dose-rate effectiveness factor (DDREF) to account for the assumed lower effectiveness of low-dose and low-dose-rate exposures. The 2007 ICRP Recommendations continue to propose a value of 2 for DDREF, while other international organisations suggest either application of different values or abandonment of the factor. This paper summarises the current status of discussions, and highlights issues that are relevant to reassessing the magnitude and application of DDREF.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Rühm
- a Helmholtz Centre Munich, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Department for Radiation Sciences, Institute of Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - T V Azizova
- b Southern Urals Biophysics Institute, Russian Federation
| | - S D Bouffler
- c Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, UK
| | - M P Little
- d Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, USA
| | - R E Shore
- e New York University School of Medicine, USA
| | - L Walsh
- f Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Germany
| | - G E Woloschak
- g Department of Radiation Oncology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, USA
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Radiation Exposure and Health Effects - is it Time to Reassess the Real Consequences? Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2016; 28:231-6. [PMID: 26880062 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2016.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Our acceptance of exposure to radiation is somewhat schizophrenic. We accept that the use of high doses of radiation is still one of the most valuable weapons in our fight against cancer, and believe that bathing in radioactive spas is beneficial. On the other hand, as a species, we are fearful of exposure to man-made radiation as a result of accidents related to power generation, even though we understand that the doses are orders of magnitude lower than those we use everyday in medicine. The 70th anniversary of the detonation of the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki was marked in 2015. The 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident will be marked in April 2016. March 2016 also sees the fifth anniversary of the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Perhaps now is an opportune time to assess whether we are right to be fearful of the effects of low doses of radiation, or whether actions taken because of our fear of radiation actually cause a greater detriment to health than the direct effect of radiation exposure.
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