What is the DOE Low Dose Radiation Research Program?
The Department of Energy is funding the Low Dose Radiation Research Program to understand the biological responses of molecules, cells, tissues, organs, and organisms to low doses of radiation. The program will ensure that research results are communicated openly to scientists, decision makers, and the public. Results will be used in at least two ways: (1) evaluate models that predict human health risks from exposure to low doses of radiation and (2) help determine whether current radiation protection standards reflect the most recent scientific data. If not, then results may be used in developing revised standards.
What is a low dose of radiation?
Dose is the amount of energy deposited per unit of mass. A dose can be classified according to its health impact or in comparison to natural background radiation. Background radiation, over which we have no control, comes from such sources as cosmic rays, radon, radium, and other radioactive materials in the earth. Using the first criterion, a dose of radiation is considered low if its level is not known to cause adverse health effects. For the Low Dose Radiation Research Program, a low dose of acute low-LET (Linear Energy Transfer) radiation such as X rays, gamma rays, or beta particles is defined as being less than 10 rem or 0.1 Sv. This level of exposure (less than 10 rem) has been at or below the limit of detection for most biological changes observed in past research.
Why was the Low Dose Radiation Research Program started at this time?
Using traditional toxicological and epidemiological approaches, scientists have not been able to demonstrate an increase in disease incidence at levels of exposure close to the background. Over the past 10 years, however, there has been an explosion of new techniques and instrumentation to measure biological and genetic changes following low doses of radiation. These new tools allow studies to be done that were not possible in the past to help define radiation's effect on cells and molecules and provide scientific input for decisions about the adequacy of current radiation standards . .
How long will the Low Dose Radiation Research Program last and how large is the program?
The research program is projected to last 10 years at a funding level of about $20 million dollars a year. As of FY 1999, 45 projects initiated by investigators and covering a wide range of research topics were funded. DOE anticipates funding new projects each year. Projects are selected only after undergoing rigorous peer review by independent scientists; once selected, the projects will be reviewed regularly by independent review groups. DOE anticipates that research in the Low Dose Radiation Research Program will produce data that will help improve our understanding of the health impact from exposure to low level radiation.