John Cameron LONGEVITY IS THE BEST MEASURE OF HEALTH EFFECTS OF RADIATION John R. Cameron Professor Emeritus University of Wisconsin

John Cameron TRADITIONALLY HEALTH EFFECTS OF IONIZING RADIATION HAVE BEEN MEASURED IN TERMS OF CANCER INCIDENCE.

John Cameron FROM STATE TO STATE, CANCER VARIES MUCH MORE THAN LONGEVITY MODERATE DOSE RATE RADIATION APPEARS TO INCREASE LONGEVITY

John Cameron I PROPOSE THAT THE MOST APPROPRIATE MEASURE OF THE HEALTH EFFECT OF IONIZING RADIATION IS LONGEVITY THE MOST CONVINCING HUMAN DATA ARE FROM THE 100 YEAR DEATH RATES FROM ALL CAUSES OF BRITISH RADIOLOGISTS ( ) BJR JUNE 2001

John Cameron THERE ARE MILLIONS OF RADIATION WORKERS IN THE WORLD. THE WORKERS WITH THE GREATEST OCCUPATIONAL DOSES WERE RADIOLOGISTS. IF RADIOLOGISTS HAVE INCREASED LONGEVITY, SHOULD OTHER RADIATION WORKERS WORRY?

John Cameron The best radiation health study ever published: Berrington, A, Darby, SC, Weiss, HA, & Doll, R. 100 years of observation on British radiologists: mortality from cancer and other causes Br J Radiol. 74, (2001)

John Cameron The authors did not mention the good news in their study “There was no evidence of an effect of radiation on diseases other than cancer even in the earliest radiologists, despite the fact that doses of the size received by them have been associated with more than a doubling in the death rate.”

John Cameron MY ARTICLE IN THE JULY 2002 ISSUE OF BJR POINTS OUT THAT: Radiation Increased the longevity of British radiologists. Br J Radiol 2002;75:637-8.

John Cameron BRITISH RADIOLOGIST STUDY Divided radiologists in to four groups: huge doses; more careful better yet about 5mGy/y

John Cameron Radiologists ’ deaths from cancer and non-cancer were compared to that of all male MDs in England

John Cameron Before 1921, radiologists had 75% more cancer deaths (P<0.001) but deaths from other causes were 14% lower (P<0.05) than for all male MDs. Deaths from all causes were 3% lower. (NS) Large doses (~1 Gy/y) did not shorten longevity.

John Cameron In 1920 British radiologists formed a x-ray safety committee to reduce occupational radiation. The results were beneficial as the following data indicate.

John Cameron After 1920 no group of radiologists had a cancer death rate significantly greater than their medical colleagues.

John Cameron The abrupt drop from p<0.001 to NS suggests that the radiation induction of cancer has a significant threshold as shown by Evans’ 1974 study of radium dial painters & the Rossi-Zaider’s 1997 study of lung cancer.

John Cameron The British Radiologists had 29% lower cancer deaths (NS); 36% lower non-cancer deaths (P<0.001) and 32% lower deaths (P<0.001) from all causes than the controls

John Cameron Their lower death rate from all causes increased their longevity by over three years! If all cancer were curable in the U.S., the longevity would only increase 3 years !

John Cameron FOR THE 100 YEARS, THE RADIOLOGISTS’ DEATHS FROM NON-CANCER WAS 14% LOWER (P<0.001); THEIR DEATH RATE FROM ALL CAUSES WAS 8% LOWER (P<0.01) THAN FOR ALL MALE MDs IN ENGLAND AND WALES.

John Cameron The British radiologist study suggests that moderate dose rate radiation increases longevity.

John Cameron we need a double blind human radiation study to test the hypothesis that increased radiation stimulates the immune system.

John Cameron Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have a 25% higher cancer death rate than Wyoming, Idaho, and New Mexico, even though background in the Mountain States is three times higher than in the Gulf States.

John Cameron In Ramsar, Iran some people have a background of over 200 mGy/y. They have no apparent increase in cancer.

John Cameron This suggests that it is ethical to increase the background of senior citizens in the Gulf States to about 10 mGy/y

John Cameron I propose a double blind human study of senior citizens in the Gulf States to see if a dose rate of ~10 mGy/y will increase their longevity.

John Cameron Proposed research: Boxes of NORM under the beds of 50% of the volunteers (the cohort) will raise their background radiation to 10 mGy/y 

John Cameron The other 50% of the volunteers (the controls) will have identical boxes of inert material such as sand. Neither the volunteers nor their medical care givers will know who is receiving increased background.

John Cameron  The study will be relatively inexpensive – no special medical procedures will be needed.  Data on cause of death along with information on infections will be recorded.  The study will be done in large retirement homes where new volunteers will be available.

John Cameron If increased radiation is beneficial, further studies will be needed to determine the recommended annual dose (RAD)

John Cameron Caratero A et al: Effect of gamma radiation on the life span of mice Faculte de Medecine, Toulouse, France The life span of mice exposed to 7 or 14 cGy/year were compared to controls. 900 female mice, 1 month old, were used— 300 mice in each group living in the same room. life span was survival time of 50%: Results: controls 549 days, both irradiated groups 22% greater.

John Cameron Some advantages of this study:  Many senior citizens will be willing to participate in the study – It will not involve medication or injections and it might prolong their lives.

John Cameron POSITIVE RESULTS WOULD HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE WORLD It would improve health. It would reduce radiation phobia permit more use of nuclear power save billions now wasted in storing low level radioactive waste High level radioactive waste could be mixed with concrete in buildings to increase background to a healthy level.

John Cameron Some closing words from Dr. Lauriston Taylor, Founder in 1929 of the NCRP, in 1980 he wrote:

John Cameron “No one has been identifiably injured by radiation while working within the first numerical standards set by the NCRP and the ICRP in 1934” (~25-50 rads/y)

John Cameron “The theories about people being injured have still not led to the demonstration of injury and, if considered as facts by some, must only be looked upon as figments of the imagination.”

John Cameron Virtual Radiation Museum RADIATION DISCUSSION ROOMS: 1. Risks of low dose rate radiation 2. Radiation Protection Quantities 3. As Low As Reasonably Achievable 4. Dose levels to workers 5. How to reduce radiation phobia. 6. Critique of NCRP Report on LNT 7. Health effects of Radon

John Cameron The management of the RDRs will be an Editor in Chief assisted by many room editors. In addition there will Honorary Editors from around the World to advise the Editor in Chief. The RDRs are intended as archived scientific discussions of radiation topics.

John Cameron Each RDR will have 3 or more room editors to filter contributions. The room editors should represent different view points on the subject. Contributions must be like scientific articles, with references where appropriate

John Cameron The room editors will elect the “Editor in Chief” who will serve a single three year term. I hope the first election will take place at the end of I will serve as the “acting” Editor in Chief. This scheme will require cooperation from various groups, including ICRP & NCRP

John Cameron I don’t know all the answers but I know that low dose rate radiation is not a risk and may be beneficial. SEND ME QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ANYTIME BEST WISHES, JOHN