ABSTRACT
Contrary to conventional understanding of radiation by the public, low levels of nuclear (or ionizing) radiation are not harmful to animals or humans but are actually beneficial to health. This chapter cites some of the vast amount of epidemiological and demographic studies that support this characteristic of low-level radiation and its positive effects on humans. Public understanding of this hitherto seldom recognized characteristic of radiation is crucial to the public having a more rational attitude toward nuclear energy utilization. The following is a brief summary of some of the most significant studies that show the hormetic effect of low levels of radiation, with the optimum for good health being nominally 50 times the average background radiation on earth.
