The role of age in human susceptibility to radiation

R. W. Leggett, D. J. Crawford Brown

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Protection standards for exposure to radiation traditionally have been based on models of dose and risk developed for the average adult. This approach evolved at a time when most potentially hazardous exposures were occupationally derived and, hence, delivered to adults. In addition, the preponderance of radiological data is for adults, so that the complex problems of modelling the metabolism of radionuclides and of establishing dose-response relationships for radiation have been simplified considerably by ignoring differences with age. In recent years the emphasis in radiation protection has shifted somewhat to environmental contamination and to public rather than occupational exposures. Moreover, there is increasing evidence that infants, young children, or adolescents may experience significantly higher doses and subsequent risks than adults for some types of exposures. Thus, although the average adult is still used as the basis for radiation protection guidelines, the neglect of age dependence in radiation protection is becoming increasingly difficult to justify. The authors examined some of the evidence that age may play a significant role in susceptibility to radiation, and discuss possible factors contributing to the age dependence in radiogenic risk. The authors hope to provide some partial answers to the question of whether there is now sufficient information available to begin incorporating age-dependent considerations explicitly into the standard-setting process.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)227-258
Number of pages32
JournalSCI. PROGRESS
Volume68
Issue number270
StatePublished - 1983

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