A new look at prolonged radiation exposure MIT study suggests that at low dose-rate, radiation poses little risk to DNA.

A new look at prolonged radiation exposure

MIT study suggests that at low dose-rate, radiation poses little risk to DNA.

MIT researchers unveil new radiation-exposure study
Government standards for evacuations following nuclear-related incidents may be too conservative, according to a study from MIT researchers. Residents of any area that reaches radiation levels eight times greater than background levels need to be evacuated under existing U.S. rules, but such a policy may not be worthwhile when the emotional and financial costs of relocation are factored in, the study stated. "It could potentially have a big impact on tens if not hundreds of thousands of people in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant accident or a nuclear bomb detonation, if we figure out just when we should evacuate and when it's OK to stay where we are," said Jacquelyn Yanch, a senior lecturer in MIT's Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering. MIT News Office (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

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