Research Article Summary
• Scope of the special issue:
This special issue of Chemico-Biological Interactions brings together multiple articles examining how low-dose chemical and physical stressors, including ionizing radiation, interact with biological systems. The collective focus is on mechanisms of response rather than assumptions of uniform harm.
• Emphasis on mechanisms over models:
Across the issue, authors prioritize cellular signaling, DNA repair, oxidative stress management, and immune modulation as central determinants of outcome at low exposures. The work consistently highlights that biological responses depend on context, timing, and dose rate, not just total dose.
• Evidence of non-linear responses:
Many contributions report adaptive, threshold, or non-linear dose–response behaviors, particularly at low exposure levels. These findings challenge simplistic linear extrapolation approaches and suggest that low doses can trigger protective or compensatory biological processes.
• Relevance to risk assessment:
The collected papers raise concerns that traditional risk models may overestimate harm at low doses by ignoring adaptive biology. Instead, they support incorporating mechanistic evidence into hazard identification and dose–response assessment.
• Broader implications:
Taken together, the articles argue for a modernized understanding of low-dose effects, applicable not only to radiation but also to chemical toxicology. The issue supports moving away from one-size-fits-all assumptions toward biologically informed frameworks in regulation and health risk communication.
Please click here to explore the full special issue:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/chemico-biological-interactions/vol/301/suppl/C (Chemico-Biological Interactions, Volume 301, Supplement C)