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Health efects of exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation. BEIR V (1990)

Author	BEIR
Date	1990
Classification	6.01.4.80/38 (RADIATION - DISCUSSION ON LOW-LEVEL RADIATION)
Front

Executive Summary

INTRODUCTION

This report, prepared by the National Research Council's Committee on the Biological
Effects of Ionizing Radiations (BEIR), is the fifth in a series that addresses the health
effects of exposure of human populations to low-dose radiation. Ionizing radiations
arise from both natural and manmade sources and can affect the various organs and
tissues of the body. Late health effects depend on the physical characteristics of the
radiation as well as biological factors. Well demonstrated late effects include the
induction of cancer, genetically determined ill-health, developmental abnormalities,
and some degenerative diseases (e.g., cataracts). Recent concern has centered on the
risks of these effects following low-dose exposure, in part because of the presence
of elevated levels of radon progeny at certain geographical sites and fallout from the
nuclear reactor accidents at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania in 1979 and Chernobyl
in the USSR in 1986. In addition, there is concern about radioactivity in the
environment around nuclear facilities and a need to set standards for cleanup
and disposal of nuclear waste materials.

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