Radiation Hormesis - Revision history

RichardWSmith: /* Exercising the Immune System */ Put in placeholder text.

2026-08-21T10:48:46Z

Exercising the Immune System: Put in placeholder text.

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	===Exercising the Immune System===		===Exercising the Immune System===
			I (Rick) have heard this is a possible reason, but I've not found good references.

	===Stimulating Repair Mechanisms===		===Stimulating Repair Mechanisms===

RichardWSmith: Pointed out that on mars this is something of a moot point.

2026-08-21T10:47:06Z

Pointed out that on mars this is something of a moot point.

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	There is overwhelming evidence that very low levels of radiation are helpful to human health. <ref>https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2477686/</ref>		There is overwhelming evidence that very low levels of radiation are helpful to human health. <ref>https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2477686/</ref>

			As far as a Mars habitat is concerned this is something of a moot point, since the background radiation on Mars will be ABOVE the amount where radiation hormesis occurs, unless the habitat is deep under ground (such as in a lava tube).

	==Discussion==		==Discussion==

RichardWSmith: /* Discussion */ Added link.

2025-11-18T01:43:32Z

Discussion: Added link.

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:43, 18 November 2025
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	A threshold model was the most logical, but very early radiation safety standards assumed the wildly conservative Linear No Threshold model, assuming that the safety standards would be relaxed as more research came in.		A threshold model was the most logical, but very early radiation safety standards assumed the wildly conservative Linear No Threshold model, assuming that the safety standards would be relaxed as more research came in.

	Linear No Threshold (LNT) says that there is NO level of radiation which is safe. Given that we are bathed in radiation all the time, from cosmic rays, ground radiation, and radiation from inside our bodies, the LNT is very suspect. Surely if our radiation dose was equal to, or lower than, the normal background radiation, there would be no harm to our health?		Linear No Threshold (LNT) says that there is NO level of radiation which is safe. Given that we are bathed in radiation all the time, from [[Cosmic radiation\|cosmic rays]], ground radiation, and radiation from inside our bodies, the LNT is very suspect. Surely if our radiation dose was equal to, or lower than, the normal background radiation, there would be no harm to our health?

	Most scientists assumed that the Threshold Model would be correct. Below some dose the radiation damage was trivial or non-existent, above the threshold dose, it would do harm.		Most scientists assumed that the Threshold Model would be correct. Below some dose the radiation damage was trivial or non-existent, above the threshold dose, it would do harm.

RichardWSmith: /* Radiation Regulation and Mars Exploration */ fixing formatting.

2025-11-18T01:40:27Z

Radiation Regulation and Mars Exploration: fixing formatting.

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:40, 18 November 2025
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	In most countries, radiation safety standards are based on the Linear No Threshold model, which has been shown to be wildly incorrect.		In most countries, radiation safety standards are based on the Linear No Threshold model, which has been shown to be wildly incorrect.

	In the city of Ramsar Iran, natural radiation is 50 times that of most areas on Earth, and they show no higher levels of cancer or other forms of radiation disease. Nor are the average lifespans lower than similar cities (with much lower levels of radiation) in other parts of Earth.<ref>https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11769138/ \| Very high background radiation areas of Ramsar, Iran: preliminary biological studies.</ref>		In the city of Ramsar Iran, natural radiation is 50 times that of most areas on Earth, and they show no higher levels of cancer or other forms of radiation disease. Nor are the average lifespans lower than similar cities (with much lower levels of radiation) in other parts of Earth.<ref>https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11769138/ \| Very high background radiation areas of Ramsar, Iran: preliminary biological studies.</ref><ref>https://www.ecolo.org/documents/documents_in_english/ramsar-natural-radioactivity/ramsar.html</ref><ref>https://aerb.gov.in/images/PDF/image/34086353.pdf \| Ramsar suggests that current regulations for radiation are too strict.</ref> <ref>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0531513104018369 \| Natives of Ramsar had better response to high gamma ray doses</ref> <ref>https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228757260_Are_the_Inhabitants_of_High_Background_Radiation_Areas_of_Ramsar_More_Radioresistant_Scope_of_the_Problem_and_the_Need_for_Future_Studies</ref> <ref>https://www.ntanet.net/the-naturally-occurring-high-radiation-levels-of-ramsar-iran/</ref>
	<ref>https://www.ecolo.org/documents/documents_in_english/ramsar-natural-radioactivity/ramsar.html</ref>
	<ref>https://aerb.gov.in/images/PDF/image/34086353.pdf \| Ramsar suggests that current regulations for radiation are too strict.</ref>
	<ref>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0531513104018369 \| Natives of Ramsar had better response to high gamma ray doses</ref>
	<ref>https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228757260_Are_the_Inhabitants_of_High_Background_Radiation_Areas_of_Ramsar_More_Radioresistant_Scope_of_the_Problem_and_the_Need_for_Future_Studies</ref>
	<ref>https://www.ntanet.net/the-naturally-occurring-high-radiation-levels-of-ramsar-iran/</ref>

	If the radiation dosage required for astronauts was at the level of Ramsar, far lighter and less expensive radiation protection would be needed.		If the radiation dosage required for astronauts was at the level of Ramsar, far lighter and less expensive radiation protection would be needed.

RichardWSmith: /* Radiation Regulation and Mars Exploration */ Added references.

2025-11-18T01:39:04Z

Radiation Regulation and Mars Exploration: Added references.

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:39, 18 November 2025
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	In most countries, radiation safety standards are based on the Linear No Threshold model, which has been shown to be wildly incorrect.		In most countries, radiation safety standards are based on the Linear No Threshold model, which has been shown to be wildly incorrect.

	In the city of Ramsar Iran, natural radiation is 50 times that of most areas on Earth, and they show no higher levels of cancer or other forms of radiation disease. Nor are the average lifespans lower than similar cities (with much lower levels of radiation) in other parts of Earth.		In the city of Ramsar Iran, natural radiation is 50 times that of most areas on Earth, and they show no higher levels of cancer or other forms of radiation disease. Nor are the average lifespans lower than similar cities (with much lower levels of radiation) in other parts of Earth.<ref>https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11769138/ \| Very high background radiation areas of Ramsar, Iran: preliminary biological studies.</ref>
			<ref>https://www.ecolo.org/documents/documents_in_english/ramsar-natural-radioactivity/ramsar.html</ref>
			<ref>https://aerb.gov.in/images/PDF/image/34086353.pdf \| Ramsar suggests that current regulations for radiation are too strict.</ref>
			<ref>https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0531513104018369 \| Natives of Ramsar had better response to high gamma ray doses</ref>
			<ref>https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228757260_Are_the_Inhabitants_of_High_Background_Radiation_Areas_of_Ramsar_More_Radioresistant_Scope_of_the_Problem_and_the_Need_for_Future_Studies</ref>
			<ref>https://www.ntanet.net/the-naturally-occurring-high-radiation-levels-of-ramsar-iran/</ref>

	If the radiation dosage required for astronauts was at the level of Ramsar, far lighter and less expensive radiation protection would be needed.		If the radiation dosage required for astronauts was at the level of Ramsar, far lighter and less expensive radiation protection would be needed.

RichardWSmith: /* Discussion */

2025-11-18T01:31:31Z

Discussion

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	Sadly, the regulatory regime in most countries, did not update radiation safety standards in light of this new evidence. <ref>https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/08/17/2021-17475/linear-no-threshold-model-and-standards-for-protection-against-radiation</ref>		Sadly, the regulatory regime in most countries, did not update radiation safety standards in light of this new evidence. <ref>https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/08/17/2021-17475/linear-no-threshold-model-and-standards-for-protection-against-radiation</ref>

			Tho the preponderance of evidence suggests that very low levels of radiation are helpful, it is not easy to conduct these studies because the level at which radiation is beneficial is very close to the background radiation level. (So indications are hidden by the noise.) Since it is hard to lower the radiation level below normal background level, such studies are expensive and not performed on human subjects. Genetic testing has shown that while single strand breaks on DNA are easy to repair, double strand breaks are not. (Presumably, if the radiation is high enough to commonly cause double strand breaks, permanent cell damage is likely.)

	==Samples of Research==		==Samples of Research==

RichardWSmith: /* Samples of Research */ Added reference.

2025-11-18T01:18:35Z

Samples of Research: Added reference.

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	ResearchGate - A message to Fukushima: Nothing to Fear But Fear Itself.<ref>https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301313856_A_message_to_Fukushima_Nothing_to_fear_but_fear_itself</ref>		ResearchGate - A message to Fukushima: Nothing to Fear But Fear Itself.<ref>https://www.researchgate.net/publication/301313856_A_message_to_Fukushima_Nothing_to_fear_but_fear_itself</ref>

			Radiation Hormesis: Historical & Current Perspectives. <ref>https://tech.snmjournals.org/content/43/4/242</ref>

	==Speculation of Why Radiation is Helpful==		==Speculation of Why Radiation is Helpful==

RichardWSmith: /* Discussion */ Added reference.

2025-11-18T01:13:21Z

Discussion: Added reference.

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:13, 18 November 2025
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	However, as time passed, the evidence accumulated that at very low levels of radiation, there were positive health effects, and some low amount of radiation was helpful to human life.		However, as time passed, the evidence accumulated that at very low levels of radiation, there were positive health effects, and some low amount of radiation was helpful to human life.

	Sadly, the regulatory regime in most countries, did not update radiation safety standards in light of this new evidence.		Sadly, the regulatory regime in most countries, did not update radiation safety standards in light of this new evidence. <ref>https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/08/17/2021-17475/linear-no-threshold-model-and-standards-for-protection-against-radiation</ref>

	==Samples of Research==		==Samples of Research==

RichardWSmith: Added link.

2025-11-18T01:07:00Z

Added link.

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:07, 18 November 2025
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	This youTube video nicely summarizes the radiation levels of Mars exploration and discusses safety concerns.		This youTube video nicely summarizes the radiation levels of Mars exploration and discusses safety concerns.
			https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VluEllUrseE&list=LL&index=11

	See also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzdLdNRaPKc&list=PL994EB042117A7F6D&index=66		See also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzdLdNRaPKc&list=PL994EB042117A7F6D&index=66

	==References==		==References==

RichardWSmith: /* Radiation Regulation and Mars Exploration */

2025-11-18T01:02:50Z

Radiation Regulation and Mars Exploration

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:02, 18 November 2025
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	In most countries, radiation safety standards are based on the Linear No Threshold model, which has been shown to be wildly incorrect.		In most countries, radiation safety standards are based on the Linear No Threshold model, which has been shown to be wildly incorrect.

	In the city of Ramsar Iran, natural radiation is 50 times that of most areas on Earth, and they show no higher levels of cancer or other forms of radiation disease. Nor are the average lifespans lower than similar cities in other parts of Earth.		In the city of Ramsar Iran, natural radiation is 50 times that of most areas on Earth, and they show no higher levels of cancer or other forms of radiation disease. Nor are the average lifespans lower than similar cities (with much lower levels of radiation) in other parts of Earth.

	If the radiation dosage required for astronauts was at the level of Ramsar, far lighter and less expensive radiation protection would be needed.		If the radiation dosage required for astronauts was at the level of Ramsar, far lighter and less expensive radiation protection would be needed.