Radiation exposure and cancer the associations between radiation exposure and cancer are mostly based on populations exposed to relatively high levels of ionizing radiation e g japanese atomic bomb survivors and recipients of selected diagnostic or therapeutic medical procedures. Most of it forms naturally from minerals. Background radiation is all around us all the time.
What are the sources of radiation exposure. Ionizing radiation which includes ultraviolet radiation radon x rays and gamma rays. Non ionizing radiation which includes radio waves cell phones microwaves infrared radiation and visible light.
Examples include lethal effects to individuals radioactive isotope to the environment or reactor core melt the prime example of a major nuclear accident is one in which a reactor core is damaged and. A nuclear and radiation accident is defined by the international atomic energy agency iaea as an event that has led to significant consequences to people the environment or the facility. In contrast nuclear power plants account for less than 1 of exposure.
In fact medical uses of radiation account for 98 of exposure to artificial radiation. Human made radiation is the greatest source of exposure today primarily in medical imaging and procedures. High energy radiation also reaches earth from far in outer space.
These include automated calling systems warning sirens or announcements on tv or radio. In the event of a nuclear radiation emergency most areas have some method of warning the effected populations. Warnings about nuclear radiation exposure.
The nuclear fuel cycle does not give rise to significant radiation exposure for members of the public and even in two major nuclear accidents three mile island and fukushima exposure to radiation has caused no harm to the public. Nuclear radiation and health effects updated april 2020 natural sources account for most of the radiation we all receive each year.
