Muller mistakes: The linear no-threshold (LNT) dose response and US EPA's cancer risk assessment policies and practices

This paper identifies the occurrence of six major conceptual scientific errors of Hermann Muller and describes how these errors led to the creation of the linear no-threshold (LNT) dose response historically used worldwide for cancer risk assessments for chemical carcinogens and ionizing radiation. The paper demonstrates the significant role that Muller played in the environmental movement, affecting risk assessment policies and practices that are in force even now a half century following his death. This paper lends support to contemporary research that shows significant limitations of the LNT model for cancer risk assessment.

Automated summary

This paper identifies six major conceptual scientific errors made by Hermann Muller and explains how these errors led to the development of the linear no-threshold (LNT) dose response, which has been widely used worldwide for cancer risk assessments. The paper highlights the significant influence Muller had in the environmental movement, impacting risk assessment policies that are still in use even decades after his death. It also supports current research showing the limitations of the LNT model for cancer risk assessment.