DNA Damage after Continuous Irradiation: Yanch and Engelward Respond

Abstract

We thank Beyea for his comments and would like to respond, in particular, regarding the works he cites in his letter. First, the results of our study are, in fact, consistent with the findings of many human epidemiologic studies. The latest National Research Council (NRC) report on the Health Risks from Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation: BEIR VII Phase 2 (NRC 2006) summarized the conclusions of studies examining cancer mortality in those occupationally exposed to long-term low dose-rate radiation (Tables 8.3–8.5). Of the 38 studies listed, approximately half (18) found either no association or a negative relationship whereby exposure to radiation correlated with a reduced cancer mortality rate.