One ionizing event

["Joe Alvarez" <jalvarez@auxier.com>]

Much of the recent discussion on ALARA (pro and
con) has quoted the standard radiation protection
mantra, "A single ionizing event may lead to
cancer."  This statement is the "biological" basis
for the current policy of radiation protection.
This statement is base on the association of
"neoplasms appear to be monoclonal" and mutation
can be a basis for cellular change.  Nevertheless,
there has been no demonstration that mutation
leads to or is required for neoplastic
development.  A recent article sums up the state
of affairs, "Although a causal relationship
between chromosome damage and cancer has not been
proven, it has been suggested to have some
prognostic significance for future cancer
onset."    Anderson, D, Mutation Research
16;428(1-2):197-202, 1999.  Also, a book published
in 1999, The Society of Cells, Sonnenschein, C.
and A.M. Soto, Springer Verlag, NY, makes a very
strong case that neoplasia is a tissue level
effect.  Obviously, this is too long a story to
tell on an e-mail list.  I thought it was
necessary to remind all of you who have doubts
about the current policy of radiation protection
that it may not be exactly based on science.
Paraphrasing "Porgy and Bess", everything you read
in ICRP 60 ain't necessarily so.
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