is the linear no-threshold model (lnt), which assumes a strictly linear dependence between the risk of radiation-induced adverse health effects and radiation dose, implying that there is no safe dose of radiation for humans. nonetheless, many countries including the czech republic, germany, austria, poland, and the united states have radon therapy centers whose whole primary operating principle is the assumption of radiation hormesis, or beneficial impact of small doses of radiation on human health. countries such as germany and austria at the same time have imposed very strict antinuclear regulations, which have been described as radiophobic inconsistency. the united states national research council (part of the national academy of sciences), the national council on radiation protection and measurements (a body commissioned by the united states congress) and the united nations scientific committee on the effects of ionizing radiation all agree that radiation hormesis is not clearly shown, nor clearly the rule for radiation doses. a united states-based national council on radiation protection and measurements stated in 2001 that evidence for radiation hormesis is insufficient and radiation protection authorities should continue to apply the lnt model for purposes of risk estimation. a 2005 report commissioned by the french national academy concluded that evidence for hormesis occurring at low doses is sufficient and lnt should be reconsidered as the methodology used to estimate risks from low-level sources of radiation, such as deep geological repositories for nuclear waste. policy consequences hormesis remains largely unknown to the public. any policy change ought to consider hormesis first as a public-health issue (versus an industrial regulatory issue). this would include the assessment of the public concern regarding exposure to small toxic doses. in addition, impact of hormesis policy change upon the management of industrial risks should be studied.