Do we need ionizing radiation for life?

Abstract:

In common understanding (or more precisely – misunderstanding) ionizing radiation is dangerous by itself, and radiation phobia is common disease in all countries and nations. However, if one lokks at this problem with cold blood, one can easily come to a conclusion that neither radiation is the strongest carcinogen, nor we live in optimal radiation conditions. Ionizing radiation is used in many therapies (not only cancers). What is the most puzzling is that important beneficial for health effects are observed at low doses of radiation. One can come to the conclusion that we, human beings, are underexposed by Mother Nature, and may need some extra delivery of it.

prof. Ludwik Dobrzyński
National Centre for Nuclear Research, 05-400 Otwock, Poland