HOW DANGEROUS IS LOW-LEVEL RADIATION

Problems in the theoretical basis for the linear-no threshold theory o f radiation carcinogenesis are reviewed, and it is shown that they ver y strongly suggest that the theory greatly overestimates the risk of l ow level radiation. A direct test of the theory, based on the radon-lu ng cancer relationship is described; it strongly reinforces that concl usion. However, it is shown that even if the linear-no threshold theor y is valid, the public's fear of low level radiation, at least in some contexts, is grossly exaggerated.