We cannot eliminate radiation from
our environment. We can, however, reduce our risks by controlling
our exposure to it. Understanding radiation and radioactivity will
help you make informed decisions about your exposure.
What is radiation?
Radiation is energy that travels in the form of waves or particles.
When we hear the word ' radiation,' we generally think of nuclear
power plants, nuclear weapons, or radiation treatments for cancer.
We would also be correct to add 'microwaves, radar, electrical
power lines, cellular phones, and sunshine' to the list.
There are many different types of radiation that have a range
of energy forming an electromagnetic spectrum. However, when you
see the word 'radiation' on this Website, we are referring to
the types of radiation used in nuclear power, nuclear weapons,
and medicine. These types of radiation have enough energy
to break chemical bonds, and are referred to as 'ionizing radiation.'
The radioactivity is the property of some atoms to spontaneously
give off energy as particles or rays. The atoms that make up the
radioactive materials are the source of radiation.
What is an atom?
To be able to understand radiation and radioactivity, you need
to understand the language of atomic structure:
When we hear the words ' radiation exposure,' we generally think
of radiation from a source beaming out and striking the exterior
of a body. However, radioactive particles can also become
lodged inside the body and expose internal organs as the radionuclides
decay. As a result, health physicists consider not only the type
of radiation emitted from a source but also the routes by which
people are likely to come in contact with it. There are three
main routes of exposure or exposure pathways: