Radiation is not something most people think about very often, and when they do, they usually turn to its side effects, as portrayed in movies. These beings, namely those exposed to radiation, often turn into hideous monsters or superheroes, painting radiation in a frightening light.
Although radiation is great fuel for any Hollywood script, it’s more than sci-fi fodder. It’s part of our world. While it is not something you should fear, you should be aware of it. Keep reading to learn five things you probably don’t know about radiation.
1. You Are Exposed to Radiation Every Day
One-third of the U.S. population lives in a “nuclear shadow” area, meaning they live within 50 miles of a U.S. nuclear power plant.
Many people are exposed to radiation daily, such as dental assistants, medical practitioners, radiology technicians, chiropractors, etc. Flight crews and frequent flyers also receive higher-than-average doses of cosmic radiation.
Even if you don’t live near a nuclear plant or work in a radiation-related field, you still encounter radiation daily from various natural and artificial sources. The food you eat, the air you breathe, the floors and walls of your home — they all contain traces of radiation. Your own body also emits radiation naturally.
So, while movies portray radiation exposure as rare and dramatic, the truth is that mild exposure is commonplace. The key is understanding the different radiation types and exposure levels that pose actual health risks.
2. It Comes From Human-Made, Terrestrial, or Cosmic Sources
Radiation originates from human-made sources like medical scans, cell phones, and nuclear plants and accidents. Naturally occurring terrestrial radiation is in Earth’s crust, soil, food, and building materials — even outer space bombards us with cosmic radiation.
- Medical imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, PET scans
- Televisions, smartphones, Wi-Fi routers
- Nuclear power generation
- Radioactive fallout from nuclear weapons testing and accidents
- The radon gas from soil and rock
- Radioactive metals like uranium and thorium in the Earth’s crust
- Radioactive isotopes like potassium-40 and carbon-14 in our bodies and foods
- Cosmic radiation from outer space
- Solar storms and flares
Radiation is all around us. Fortunately, most everyday sources like bananas, granite countertops, and Wi-Fi emit such low levels that they are harmless. More potent radiation in medical imaging, nuclear plants, and solar storms requires safeguards.
3. There Are Two Types of Radiation
Not all radiation is created equal, so it’s critical to distinguish between the two types of radiation: non-ionizing and ionizing.
Non-ionizing radiation is low-frequency radiation that does not have enough energy to ionize or remove electrons from atoms. Examples include radio waves, microwaves, infrared light, and visible light. Most are harmless at low levels. At very high levels, radio frequency radiation, like microwaves, can cause thermal heating and burns.
Ionizing radiation ishigh-frequency electromagnetic waves (like X-rays and gamma rays) or particles (alpha and beta particles) that have enough energy to strip electrons from atoms, creating charged ions. This can damage DNA and human tissue at high exposures. Medical imaging, nuclear power, and radiation therapy utilize ionizing radiation.
Understanding the type of radiation and its properties is key for radiation safety. Ionizing radiation poses health risks with prolonged or high exposure and requires protection and monitoring. In contrast, non-ionizing radiation is harmless at typical everyday levels.
4. You Can Track Radiation Levels Around You
Radiation is invisible, but that doesn’t mean you should be blind to it. Devices like the Dosime and Radex act as personal radiation detectors and monitors. They can measure and track radiation exposure in real-time across different locations.
These portable monitors detect ionizing radiation exposure from medical scans, air travel, nuclear sites, radon gas, and radiation therapy. Tracking occupational radiation allows you to monitor and manage your cumulative exposure over time. In the event of nuclear accidents or radiotherapy treatments, radiation data helps verify that conditions are safe afterward.
Overall, radiation monitoring data empowers you to make informed decisions to protect your health and inform others.
Being able to access and share current radiation readings also allows you to provide safety alerts to others who may be affected and to report local radiation levels to authorities.
5. You Bring Radiation Into Your Home Every Day
Since radiation is naturally present in the environment, it makes its way into everyday products and materials in your home:
- Granite countertops and some ceramic tiles contain traces of uranium and thorium
- Some glazes and dyes for ceramics use uranium to create certain colors
- Bananas, Brazil nuts, and other foods contain radioactive potassium-40 isotopes
- Smoke detectors use americium-241, which detects smoke particles
- Fertilizers can contain phosphates rich in uranium
- Kitty litter contains radioactive elements from clay and mined minerals
- Plane trips expose you to extra cosmic radiation at high altitudes
While radiation is everywhere at low levels, understanding your home’s sources and how to reduce their radiation levels can help you take safety precautions if needed. For example, properly ventilating kitchens and bathrooms to avoid radon gas buildup.
So, Is Radiation Something To Be Afraid Of?
For most people, radiation exposure from common everyday sources like food, planes, and wireless devices is perfectly safe. Unless you work often around concentrated radiation sources, your risk of excessive exposure is low.
Radiation is around you every day, but that doesn’t mean you have to fear it. The key is understanding the different types and typical sources. While radiation conjures up dramatic Hollywood images, the reality is that low-level exposure is commonplace. Stay informed to make smart choices, limiting excessive radiation when you can. To learn more about radiation detectors and personal safety devices, visit Dosime.com.
Read also: Guide to Securing Homes Against Solar Storms
FAQs About Radiation
Does radiation exposure always increase my cancer risk?
Not necessarily. Low-level radiation exposure from common sources like food, airplanes, and medical scans has a negligible impact on cancer risk. However, prolonged exposure to concentrated radiation does raise the risk.
What's the unit used to measure radiation exposure?
The standard unit is the millisievert (mSv). One mSv equals 1000 microsieverts (μSv). Doses under 100 mSv have low health risks.
