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What is the LNT model?
The linear no-threshold or the LNT model
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is a method of estimating cancer risk from radiation.
Excess cancer risk due to radiation
At high radiation doses
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Increases linearly with radiation dose (well known).
At low radiation doses
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large errors in measuring excess cancers
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extrapolation is used to estimate radiation cancer risk
LNT model says:
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Extrapolate cancer risk linearly from high doses all the way down to zero dose.
The key but troubling aspect of this model
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absence of a threshold dose
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thus even the smallest increase in radiation dose increases cancer risk.
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causes fear of even the lowest levels of radiation.
Figure 1. A schematic depiction of the LNT model.
Next section: What does the evidence say?
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