Re: Hormesis: Implications for Public Policy Regarding Toxicants

[Muckerheide <muckerheide@MEDIAONE.NET>]

These are good questions; and need real work!  Work that we've been trying

to get underway for several years.



But at least we're no longer questioning whether hormesis exists!  :-)



Regards, Jim

Radiation, Science, and Health

===========================



> From: "Jacobus, John (OD/ORS)" <jacobusj@ors.od.nih.gov>

> Reply-To: "Jacobus, John (OD/ORS)" <jacobusj@ors.od.nih.gov>

> Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2001 11:14:37 -0400

> To: RadSafe <radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu>

> Subject: Hormesis:  Implications for Public Policy Regarding Toxicants

> 

> Group,

> 

> A member of this list posted a message referencing an article with this

> title by Lester B. Lave in the Annual Review of Public Health.  Rather than

> just reading the abstract, I obtained a copy of the article.  Rather than

> simpling praising hormesis, it raises the question of how hormesis should be

> incorporated in regulations.  As stated:

> 

> "Current regulation of toxicants at low exposures might be wasting billions

> of dollars and harming the health of groups they are designed to protect.

> However, before public policy can be refashioned to incorporate this

> fundamental change, we need to understand (a) the effects of low doses on

> the most sensitive individuals and (b) whether the hormetic effect is

> general for all or for wide classes of toxicants or whether it is toxicant

> specific.  If the stimulation effect already takes place because of current

> low-level exposures to toxicants, or if there are many sensitive individuals

> who would be harmed by low doses, hormesis might have no effect on the

> policy for regulating toxic substances." And " . . . Proposed changes in

> policy are unlikely to be adopted unless they are compatible with public

> perceptions and desires. . . ."

> 

> If you wish a copy of this article, please contact me directly at

> jjacobus@mail.nih.gov

> 

> -- John

> John Jacobus, MS

> Certified Health Physicist

> 3050 Traymore Lane

> Bowie, MD  20715-2024

> 

> E-mail:  jenday1@email.msn.com (H)

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