Nuclear and Radiological Events: Should We Consider Individual Factors?

Our recent radiobiological study with a cohort of apparently healthy individuals reveals that more than 20% of them show an abnormal response to ionizing radiation (IR) leading to high risk of radiation-induced (RI) adverse tissue reactions and/or cancer. These data are supported by a mechanistic model based on the (RI) nucleoshuttling of the ATM protein (RIANS) that provides a relevant biological interpretation of the individual response to IR. Such findings are also consistent with former estimations of a sub-population of radiosensitive or radiosusceptible adults representing 5–20% of the whole population. In parallel, international guidelines of radiological protection still consider individuals as uniformly radioresistant: current biological dosimetry process applied after nuclear and radiological events may seriously underestimate the risks of exposure to IR of such sub-populations. Here, we discussed on the possibility of a rapid detection and specific management of abnormally responding individuals in a mass crisis context of a nuclear and radiological event. Ethical issues will be also addressed.