The Evolution of the Linear No-Threshold Model in Radiation Protection: Insights from a Bibliometric Perspective

The objective of this paper is to examine the historical development and scholarly debate surrounding the linear no-threshold (LNT) model in radiation protection using bibliometric techniques. A cited reference analysis was conducted on 750 publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection. Reference Publication Year Spectroscopy (RPYS) was applied to identify citation peaks and seminal works. Conventional bibliometric indicators (top authors, affiliations, journals, and funding agencies) were also assessed. The United States accounted for over half of the publications, with Edward J. Calabrese identified as the most prolific author. Health Physics and Dose-Response were the leading journals. Exxon Mobil Corporation and US government agencies were the most frequent funding sources. RPYS revealed seven significant citation peaks (1956, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2012, 2015, 2017). Notable seminal works included the BEAR I Report (1956), BEIR VII Phase 2 Report (2006), and critiques by Calabrese (2015). Among the 10 most cited LNT publications, six were critical of the model. Foundational works such as Muller's 1927 study on radiation-induced mutations were also highlighted. Bibliometric analysis, particularly RPYS, effectively mapped the evolution of LNT scholarship, identifying influential works and illustrating the persistent divide between pro-LNT and anti-LNT perspectives. The findings underscore the role of citation context and funding sources in shaping scientific narratives.