How It Works

Modern society uses radiation to provide hundreds of beneficial uses, from electricity generation to cancer treatment to space exploration.

	Consumer Products
	Many consumer products—from smoke detectors to photocopiers, and watches to cosmetics—use small amounts of radiation.

	Electric Power Generation
	America’s 104 nuclear power plants generate almost 20 percent of the nation’s electricity while emitting no carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides.

	Food & Agriculture
	More than 40 countries have approved the use of radiation to help preserve nearly 40 different varieties of food. In agriculture, radiation has eradicated approximately 10 species of pest insects.

	Industrial Applications
	Among industries that use radioactive materials in their processes and products are automobile and aircraft manufacturers, mining and oil companies, and construction companies.

	Medicine & Scientific Research
	Nuclear medicine procedures prolong and improve the quality of people’s lives. Radioisotopes also are used extensively in scientific research.

	Nuclear Power Plant Fuel
	Nuclear power plants do not burn any fuel. Instead, they use uranium fuel, consisting of solid ceramic pellets, to produce electricity through a process called fission.

	Space
	Unmanned spacecraft rely on radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) for the power they need for space exploration. RTGs use heat from plutonium to generate electricity. They are safe, reliable and long-lived, even in the harsh climate of our solar system.

Helpful Links

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Nuclear Energy Institute
1201 F St., NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20004-1218
P: 202.739.8000 F: 202.785.4019
www.nei.org

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