Final answer:
ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) minimizes all radiation exposure based on potential risk, whereas hormesis suggests low-level exposures may be beneficial. The hormesis model proposes a threshold below which radiation may stimulate protective mechanisms, contrasting the linear risk model of ALARA.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principle of ALARA, which stands for ‘As Low As Reasonably Achievable’, is a safety principle designed to minimize radiation doses and releases of radioactive materials by employing all reasonable methods. It is based on the assumption that any dose of radiation, no matter how small, involves a potential health risk and therefore must be kept below a certain level.
In contrast, the concept of hormesis suggests that low exposures of radiation or toxins may actually have a beneficial effect on living organisms. It posits that such exposures stimulate repair mechanisms in cells, and that these stimulated mechanisms not only protect against low levels of damage but may also protect against higher levels of damage that could occur in the future.
While ALARA operates on the linear hypothesis, suggesting a direct correlation between exposure and risk even at low doses, hormesis challenges this notion by asserting a threshold or even advantages to low-dose exposure. A clear example of the practical application of hormesis is in food treatment, where low doses of radiation are used to eliminate pathogens and extend shelf life, suggesting that low level radiation can be advantageous.