Low-Level Radiation: Hormesis Or Hazard?

This debate panel addresses one of the most scientifically and politically contested topics in radiation science: whether the current radiation safety paradigm based on the Linear No-Threshold (LNT) model is scientifically valid, or whether it should be replaced with a model that accounts for hormesis — the hypothesis that low doses of radiation may actually be beneficial or at least far less harmful than the LNT model predicts. The current ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle is built on LNT assumptions. If hormesis is real, ALARA may be unnecessarily costly and may actually be harming public health by inducing unnecessary fear of radiation.