Abstract
The assessment of risks associated with space radiation exposure requires determination of the expected radiation exposure during the space mission, knowledge of the risks associated with such exposures and of modifying factors which are all to be incorporated in a dedicated radiation risk model. To determine the radiation exposure, the radiation field and its variation during the solar cycle, its interaction with matter and the dose distribution in the human body are considered. Disease risks are derived from large epidemiological studies on radiation-exposed populations, predominantly the Japanese atomic bomb survivors. Extrapolation from high dose rate to low-dose rate exposure, from low linear energy transfer (LET) to high-LET radiation and from the Japanese to other populations requires the use of extrapolation factors. Accordingly, predictions of cancer risk and acceptable radiation exposure in space are subject to many uncertainties including the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of space radiation (especially heavy ions), dose rate effects and possible interaction with microgravity and other spaceflight environmental factors.
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Notes
- 1.
In the multiplicative transfer model, the effect of the covariates on cancer is to act multiplicatively on a baseline hazard rate.
- 2.
In the additive model, covariates act in an additive manner on a baseline hazard rate.
- 3.
The ERR is the proportional increase in risk over the absolute risk in the absence of exposure (background). The background cancer risks can differ between populations, e.g., Japanese and US population.
- 4.
The term dose and dose rate effectiveness factor (DDREF) has a significant impact on space radiation protection requirements, especially for operational implementation. It is used to modify the dose-risk relationship estimated from the LNT model for (in the current respect space-typical) exposure scenarios: (1) the dose and (2) dose rate at which the dose is delivered. Use of the DDREF thereby reduces the lifetime attributable risk (LAR) of cancer incidence. From operational view, the BEIR (Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation) VII Committee set the DDREF at a value of 2. Calabrese, E. J. and M. K. O’Connor (2014). “Estimating risk of low radiation doses—a critical review of the BEIR VII report and its use of the linear no-threshold (LNT) hypothesis.” Radiat Res 182(5): 463–474.
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Hellweg, C.E., Matthiä, D., Berger, T., Baumstark-Khan, C. (2020). Radiation Risk Assessment. In: Radiation in Space: Relevance and Risk for Human Missions. SpringerBriefs in Space Life Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46744-9_4
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