Environmental Ionizing Radiation

Electromagnetic radiation is divided into nonionizing and ionizing radiation according to the energy required to eject electrons from molecules. The sources of environmental radiation may be broken into two major components: natural and artificial or technologically induced radiation. Cosmic radiation originates predominately from galactic sources and consists mostly of high-energy protons and alpha particles. Terrestrial radiation levels and rates from natural background sources are functions of geographic location and living habits. However, exposure from nuclear power production should also include mining, uranium fuel fabrication, and waste storage and disposal. Commercially produced radon has been used by radiopharmaceutical companies and hospitals to produce radioactive seeds or needles which are then implanted into tumors. The use of man-made radiation in the health sciences is normally divided into three areas are diagnostic X-ray examination, nuclear medicine, and therapeutic radiation. The values do not necessarily hold true during accidents or in the handling, storage, and disposal of radioactive waste.