A mathematical model of mortality dynamics for population of mammals exposed to acute and continuous radiation was developed. It relates the statistical biometric functions (mortality rate, life span probability density, and life span probability) with the statistical characteristics and the kinetics of the organism's critical systems. The hematopoietic system was selected as critical one. The number of functional elements in this system were also found by solving the respective mathematical models. Modelling results agree qualitatively and quantitatively with experimental data on mortality dynamics and average life span shortening for mice exposed to low level acute and chronic radiation. This model can be used for radiation risk assessment for mammalian population in radioactively contaminated areas.

The work was supported by Russian Foundation for Basic Research (Grant No 97-01-00264).