X-ray exposure and premature aging.

An hypothesis of an aging effect of exposure to ionizing radiation in humans is proposed and given precise mathematical expression. The assumption is made that the biological changes which occur when humans are exposed to ionizing radiation from medical x ray are comparable to those occuring through the natural aging process, since both factors are known to increase the relative risk of nonlymphatic leukemia. This assumption focuses on this one aspect of aging only. The hypothesis that aging and exposure to ionizing radiation are comparable for increasing the relative risk of non-lymphatic leukemia is tested against the data from the Tri-State Leukemia Survey. It is shown to explain the data in a statistically acceptable way, giving an estimate of 1 rad skin dose exposure to the trunk as comparable to 1 year natural aging. This research raises further questions concerning the effects of exposure to ionizing radiation, and presents a new methodology by which these questions may be researched.