Key Issues
Radiation Standards and Organizations Provide Safety for Public and Workers
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Where Does Radiation Come From?
Individuals are exposed to radiation from a variety of sources, both natural and man-made. There are two categories of radiation: ionizing and non-ionizing.
Ionizing radiation removes electrons from atoms, causing the atoms to become electrically charged ions. Its uses include X-rays and other medical procedures, as well as nuclear power plants.
Non-ionizing radiation does not remove electrons from the atoms it encounters. Examples include radio waves and microwaves, as well as visible and ultraviolet light. Its uses include radar, lasers and microwave heating.
Ionizing radiation is detected easily. Measurements of this radiation are based on the energy it deposits in the body or in a particular part of the body.
On average, 82 percent of an individual’s exposure comes from naturally occurring radiation from the earth, in the air and water, from outer space, and in our own bodies.2
Medical uses of radiation account for the majority of man-made radiation exposure. Although the average annual medical exposure is about 54 mrem per year, the range is large, depending on what type of medical procedures are administered. For example, a chest X-ray is about 10 mrem; a single CT scan is 1,000 mrem or more.
The entire nuclear energy fuel cycle (including uranium mining, fuel fabrication, nuclear power generation and waste disposal) produces less than 1 percent of overall human exposure—less than 0.5 mrem per year.
One roundtrip flight between New York City and Los Angeles would provide a dose of 2 mrem to 5 mrem.3
2 “Health Risks From Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation,” BEIR VII Report, 2005.
3 “Facts About Radiation,” Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, www.ocrwm.doe.gov/factsheets.
Where Does Radiation Come From?
Individuals are exposed to radiation from a variety of sources, both natural and man-made. There are two categories of radiation: ionizing and non-ionizing.
Ionizing radiation removes electrons from atoms, causing the atoms to become electrically charged ions. Its uses include X-rays and other medical procedures, as well as nuclear power plants.
Non-ionizing radiation does not remove electrons from the atoms it encounters. Examples include radio waves and microwaves, as well as visible and ultraviolet light. Its uses include radar, lasers and microwave heating.
Ionizing radiation is detected easily. Measurements of this radiation are based on the energy it deposits in the body or in a particular part of the body.
On average, 82 percent of an individual’s exposure comes from naturally occurring radiation from the earth, in the air and water, from outer space, and in our own bodies.2
Medical uses of radiation account for the majority of man-made radiation exposure. Although the average annual medical exposure is about 54 mrem per year, the range is large, depending on what type of medical procedures are administered. For example, a chest X-ray is about 10 mrem; a single CT scan is 1,000 mrem or more.
The entire nuclear energy fuel cycle (including uranium mining, fuel fabrication, nuclear power generation and waste disposal) produces less than 1 percent of overall human exposure—less than 0.5 mrem per year.
One roundtrip flight between New York City and Los Angeles would provide a dose of 2 mrem to 5 mrem.3
2 “Health Risks From Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation,” BEIR VII Report, 2005.
3 “Facts About Radiation,” Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, www.ocrwm.doe.gov/factsheets.
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