What are some common sources of radiation?

Naturally occurring radioactive minerals in the ground, soil, and water produce background radiation. The human body even contains some of these naturally-occurring radioactive minerals. Cosmic radiation from space also contributes to the background radiation around us.

What type of radiation is in Fukushima?

Releases from the Fukushima reactors have included dozens of radioactive elements, but with regard to materials released into the ocean, most of the attention has been on three radioactive isotopes released in large amounts: iodine-131, cesium-137, and cesium-134.

What are the most common sources of damaging radiation?

Human exposure to radiation also comes from human-made sources ranging from nuclear power generation to medical uses of radiation for diagnosis or treatment. Today, the most common human-made sources of ionizing radiation are medical devices, including X-ray machines.

Which is the most common source of background radiation?

The composition of the earth’s crust is a major source of natural radiation. The main contributors are natural deposits of uranium, potassium and thorium which, in the process of natural decay, will release small amounts of ionizing radiation.

How are the different types of radiation different?

Radiation occurs when energy is emitted by a source, then travels through a medium, such as air, until it is absorbed by matter. Radiation can be described as being one of two basic types: non ionizing and ionizing. People use and are exposed to non-ionizing radiation sources every day.

Which is the largest source of natural radiation in Canada?

On average, it is the largest source of natural radiation exposure. More information about radon gas and the means to control it can be found on Health Canada’s website. Trace amounts of radioactive minerals are naturally found in the contents of food and drinking water.

Where does most of our average annual dose of radiation come from?

Most of our average annual dose comes from natural background radiationbackground radiationRadiation that is always in the environment. The majority of background radiation occurs naturally and a small fraction comes from man-made elements. sources: