RE: Definitions of Low Dose/Doserate -Reply

[Charles Willis <CAW@nrc.gov>]

Franz, et al.:

What each of us considers low dose/low dose rate seems to depend on our
perspective.  When the ICRP (and now FGR-13) came up with the term, it was in
the context of whether the dose, dose rate effectiveness factor (DDREF) of 2
should be applied in calculating risk.  Based on the NCRP study of the subject, they
had to use what seems to be large numbers because observed effects that could be
used for comparison are seen only at relatively high doses and dose rates.  The
lowest dose rate the NCRP (and which Charlie Meinhold still uses in his popular
lecture on radiation risk assessment) found useful was 8.3 rad/day.  Risk estimates
for lower dose rates largely are matters of conjecture

Charlie Willis
caw@nrc.gov
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