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21 November 2009

Answer to Question #3378 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Radiation Effects — Low-Dose Effects

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

Is there a relationship between low-dose radiation and nonmalignant thyroid nodular disease in young adults (23 years of age)? The condition manifested itself 28 years after using radioactive material for nine months.

The juvenile thyroid gland is one of the more radiosensitive organs in the body to radiation-induced tumors, both malignant and benign. The sensitivity is greatly reduced, if not eliminated, in adults. Increased incidence of thyroid tumors has been observed in several human populations, including the Japanese atomic bomb survivors, natives of the South Pacific islands downwind from testing of nuclear bombs in the 1950s, and Israeli children whose heads were irradiated for treatment of tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp). In the latter group, thyroid doses as small as 60 mGy resulted in an increased incidence of tumors. There is no evidence of risk of these tumors from diagnostic exposure in the healing arts, including nuclear medicine.

S. Julian Gibbs, DDS, PhD

Answer posted on 17 February 2004. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.