Benchmarking Risk Predictions and Uncertainties in the Nscr Model of Gcr Cancer Risks With Revised Low Let Risk Coefficients
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-26-2020
Publication Title
Life Sciences in Space Research
Volume
27
First page number:
64
Last page number:
73
Abstract
We report on the contributions of model factors that appear in projection models to the overall uncertainty in cancer risks predictions for exposures to galactic cosmic ray (GCR) in deep space, including comparisons with revised low LET risks coefficients. Annual GCR exposures to astronauts at solar minimum are considered. Uncertainties in low LET risk coefficients, dose and dose-rate modifiers, quality factors (QFs), space radiation organ doses, non-targeted effects (NTE) and increased tumor lethality at high LET compared to low LET radiation are considered. For the low LET reference radiation parameters we use a revised assessment of excess relative risk (ERR) and excess additive risk (EAR) for radiation induced cancers in the Life-Span Study (LSS) of the Atomic bomb survivors that was recently reported, and also consider ERR estimates for males from the International Study of Nuclear Workers (INWORKS). For 45-y old females at mission age the risk of exposure induced death (REID) per year and 95% confidence intervals is predicted as 1.6% [0.71, 1.63] without QF uncertainties and 1.64% [0.69, 4.06] with QF uncertainties. However, fatal risk predictions increase to 5.83% [2.56, 9.7] based on a sensitivity study of the inclusion of non-targeted effects on risk predictions. For males a comparison using LSS or INWORKS lead to predictions of 1.24% [0.58, 3.14] and 2.45% [1.23, 5.9], respectively without NTEs. The major conclusion of our report is that high LET risk prediction uncertainties due to QFs parameters, NTEs, and possible increase lethality at high LET are dominant contributions to GCR uncertainties and should be the focus of space radiation research.
Keywords
Galactic cosmic rays (GCR); HZE particles; High let radiation; Space radiation; Cancer risk; Relative biological effectiveness (RBE); Quality factors (QF)
Disciplines
Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment | Environmental Health
Language
English
Repository Citation
Cucinotta, F. A.,
Cacao, E.,
Kim, M. Y.,
Saganti, P. B.
(2020).
Benchmarking Risk Predictions and Uncertainties in the Nscr Model of Gcr Cancer Risks With Revised Low Let Risk Coefficients.
Life Sciences in Space Research, 27
64-73.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lssr.2020.07.008