NIRS 2005 Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 30, 2005	CONTACT Diane D'Arrigo, NIRS 301-270-6477 16 Cindy Folkers, NIRS 301-270-6477 20
All Levels of Radiation Confirmed to Cause Cancer. Washington, DC July 30, 2005 The National Academies of Science released an over 700-page report yesterday on the risks from ionizing radiation. The BEIR VII or seventh Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation report on "Health Risks from Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation" reconfirmed the previous knowledge that there is no safe level of exposure to radiation—that even very low doses can cause cancer. Risks from low dose radiation are equal or greater than previously thought. The committee reviewed some additional ways that radiation causes damage to cells. Among the reports conclusions are: There is no safe level or threshold of ionizing radiation exposure. Even exposure to background radiation causes some cancers. Additional exposures cause additional risks. Radiation causes other health effects such as heart disease and stroke, and further study is needed to predict the doses that result in these non-cancer health effects.