Radiophobia

Radiophobia is an abnormal fear of ionizing radiation, also used in the sense of fear of X-rays. The term is also used (polemically, not medically) to general opposition to the use of nuclear energy.

Fear of ionizing radiation is not unnatural, since it can pose significant risks; however this fear may become abnormal and even irrational, often owing to poor information or understanding, but also as a consequence of traumatic experience.

Radiophobia and Chernobyl

In the former Soviet Union many patients with radioactive sickness after the Chernobyl disaster were accused of radiophobia [ [http://iph.bdg.by/Socium/fernex_st.htm] ] .The author of "Chernobyl Poems" wrote in her poem, "Radiophobia":

:Is this only - a fear of radiation?:Perhaps rather - a fear of wars?:Perhaps - the dread of betrayal,:Cowardice, stupidity, lawlessness? [ [http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/chernobyl_poems/chernobyl_index.html Lyubov Sirota] ]

Radiophobia as a term in the atomic energy debate

Today the term "radiophobia" is polemically applied to the arguments of proponents of the LNT concept (Linear no-threshold response model for ionizing radiation) of radiation security proposed by the U.S. [http://www.ncrponline.org National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements] (NCRP) in 1949. The "no-threshold" position effectively assumes that even negligible doses of radiation may pose danger. The issue remains controversial.

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