|
|
Since the dawn of time, natural exposure to radiation occurs in everyday life. The sources include the ground we walk on, the air we breathe, the food we eat and the solar system in whole. Everything in our world contains some small amounts of radioactive atoms, however, most being harmless to our everyday lives and health.
Natural Radiation
Radon is the element which primarily produces radiation. Radon comes from the decay of uranium, a natural element, which is in the air we breathe. When radon decays, it produces radon daughters or radon progeny. Radon progeny are particles, not gases, and can be deposited in your lungs as you breathe. As part of everyday life, we are all actually exposed to radiation in this manner; however, little or no health risks exist.
Radiation in the Home
There are some small sources of radiation in the home. Your television set accelerates electrons to make the picture on the screen and produces a few low energy X-rays. Another example is smoke detectors. The sources of radiation around the house, not counting natural sources like radon, tend to make up a small fraction of the background dose of radiation exposure, which generally caries no threat or associated health risks.
Radiation in the Workplace
In many occupations, radiation can be encountered as a natural part of their jobs. Some of these occupations include doctors, nurses, radiographers, X-ray technicians, astronauts, dental hygienists, researchers, pharmacists, welders and airline and jet crews. Radiation doses received are reported in total rem (1 rem = 1,000 mrem), a unit that measures the effects of ionizing radiation on humans. A dose of 10 to 20 mrem or even 100 mrem is significantly below the maximum amount of radiation state and federal regulations deem acceptable. An exposure level of 5,000 mrem per year is the maximum occupation exposure allowed for occupationally exposed workers. The public permitted exposure is 100 mrem.
Why is This Important
We can't avoid natural radiation entirely, but we can limit our exposure to radiation, especially in the workplace. Employers and employees that have ionizing radiation in the workplace should monitor themselves to assure that exposure to occupational radiation is kept to a minimum. The ideal way is to ensure that regular monitoring occurs from a reliable dosimetry company and that you maintain awareness of your lifetime exposure levels.
|
|
|
Contact a Representative
today at
1-800-251-3331
Or click here to order
|
|
|
