A NEW APPROACH TO THE CALCULATION OF THE CARCINOGENIC RADIOGENIC RISK

Abstract

A new method of calculating the carcinogenic risk factor (CRF) in accordance with the influence of ionizing radiation is proposed based on data concerning the level of spontaneous DNA degradation. It is shown that the CRF value can be at least 2 orders of magnitude less than the generally accepted values of this parameter. Accordingly, the costs of radiation protection can be reduced to the same extent. The specified estimates were obtained using assumptions about the non-threshold action of ionizing radiation and the linear dependence of 'dose-effect' on the parameter of carcinogenic action, and may be overestimated for this reason.