Abstract
The human exploration of space inevitably involves exposure to radiation. Associated with this exposure are multiple risks, i.e., probabilities that certain aspects of an astronaut’s health or performance will be degraded. The management of these risks requires that such probabilities be accurately predicted, that the actual exposures be verified, and that comprehensive records be maintained. Implicit in these actions is the fact that, at some point, a decision has been made to accept a certain level of risk. This paper examines ethical and practical considerations involved in arriving at a determination that risks are acceptable, roles that the parties involved may play, and obligations arising out of reliance on the informed consent paradigm seen as the basis for ethical radiation risk acceptance in space.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
There usually is another requirement associated with informed consent that the research subject may withdraw from the research at will any time, without suffering any penalty. Clearly, an astronaut does not have this option once a mission has started. However, a similar argument may be made about medical research subjects: once the treatment has started it cannot be undone. Withdrawal is only an option for future treatments, or future missions.
References
Cucinotta FA, Schimmerling W, Wilson JW, Peterson LE, Badhwar G, Saganti P, Dicello J (2001) Space radiation cancer risks and uncertainties for Mars missions. Radiat Res 156:682–688
Krewski D (2002) Acceptable risk. In: Breslow L, Cengage G (eds) Encyclopedia of public health. eNotes.com. Accessed 23 January 2010. http://www.enotes.com/public-health-encyclopedia/acceptable-risk
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements NCRP (1997) Acceptability of risk from radiation—application to human space flight. In: Symposium proceedings no. 3. Workshop held May 29, 1996, Arlington, VA
National Council on Radiation Protection, Measurements NCRP (2000) Radiation protection guidance for activities in low-earth orbit. NCRP report no. 132. National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda
United States Code of Federal Regulations 45CFR46 (2009) Title 45. Public Welfare. Department of Health and Human Services. Part 46. Protection of human subjects. § 46.116 General requirements for informed consent. Accessed 23 January 2010. http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.htm
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
W. Schimmerling is retired from NASA/USRA.
This manuscript is based on a contribution given at the “Heavy Ions in Therapy and Space Symposium 2009”, 6–10 July 2009, Cologne (Germany). Some of the material presented here has been posted on a NASA web site providing introductory material on space radiation research (https://three.usra.edu/index.php/THREE).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schimmerling, W. Accepting space radiation risks. Radiat Environ Biophys 49, 325–329 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-010-0286-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-010-0286-0