Regarding “Subjecting Radiologic Imaging to the Linear No-Threshold Hypothesis: A Non Sequitur of Non-Trivial Proportion”

TO THE EDITOR: Kudos to The Journal of Nuclear Medicine for publishing “Subjecting Radiologic Imaging to the Linear No-Threshold Hypothesis: A Non Sequitur of Non-Trivial Proportion” (1). In this important paper, Siegel, Pennington, and Sacks clearly dissect the flaws behind the linear no-threshold hypothesis (LNTH), the model that has been the backbone of radiation safety policy throughout the world for more than 50 y. Most significantly, they clearly show the harm done by overzealous application of this flawed, inaccurate, and nonscientific model. A vigilant, rigorous, and relentless effort to reeducate the medical, scientific, and regulatory communities on the flawed science behind the LNTH; on the scientific evidence supporting the absence of radiation carcinogenesis at low doses (less than several 10s of Gy); and on the potential medical benefits of low-dose radiation due to its hormetic effects is needed, and publishing papers such as the one by Siegel et al. is a good step in that direction.

• © 2017 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.