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Introduction to Radiation

Radiation as a Part of our Everyday Lives

Radiation is all around us, every minute of every day. Some radiation is essential to life, such as heat and light from the sun. We could not exist without it. Some radiation informs and entertains us, through video signals and sounds from television sets and radios. As used in medicine, radiation helps us diagnose and treat diseases and save lives. Yet it can also pose serious risks.

Radiation is energy that comes from both natural sources, and manmade sources that provide many of the conveniences and necessities of modern living.

Natural Radiation

We are exposed to radiation from numerous natural background sources: the atmosphere, soil and water, food, and even our own bodies. On average, much more of our exposure to radiation comes from these natural sources than from manmade sources.

Manmade Radiation

A smaller but increasing amount of the radiation we are exposed to is manmade. Modern technologies, for example, use radiation to:

Diagnose and treat medical problems

Communicate over long distances

Generate electricity for our domestic and industrial needs

Eliminate harmful bacteria from food

Conduct basic and applied research

Dangers of Radiation Managing exposure to radiation is a major concern to citizens and government officials in the United States and around the world.

Excessive exposure to high-energy (ionizing) radiation can trigger changes in body cells leading to cancer, birth defects, and, in extreme cases, catastrophic illness and death.
Too much exposure to the sun's rays can damage eyes and burn skin, causing cataracts or cancer.

Several events and circumstances continue to influence public perceptions about radiation dangers.

Pictures and stories of the terrible effects of massive radiation doses to the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have created a lasting fear of radiation.
Development and testing of nuclear weapons have left a legacy of pollution that in the United States alone will take decades and billions of dollars to clean up.
Accidents at two nuclear power plants (Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania and Chernobyl in the former Soviet Union) introduced the term "meltdown" to popular culture and raised continuing questions about the safety of nuclear power.

In addition, uncertainties remain about the safe disposal of spent fuel from nuclear power plants and other high-level radioactive waste.

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