Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Radiation Protection

On this page:

• Questions about Radiation
  • What is radiation?
  • Where does radiation come from?
  • How far does radiation travel?
  • How are radioactive materials used?
  • What do radioactive sources look like?
  • How can I tell if something is radioactive?
  • What is tritium, and what can it do to you?
  • What kind and how much radiation is produced by a nuclear power plant?
  • What happens to radiation produced by a plant?
  • Are nuclear plant workers radioactive themselves?
    
    
• Questions about Radiation Protection
  • How does radiation affect the public?
  • Why do you need to be careful around radiation?
  • Why shouldn't you pick up a radioactive source and put it in your pocket?
  • What's the worst radiation can do to you, and how can this be prevented from this happening?
  • If radiation is dangerous, why do we use radioactive material?
  • Who regulates radioactive materials and radiation exposure?
  • Why doesn't the NRC regulate the radiation in my microwave oven?
  • How can exposure to radiation be minimized?
  • Are there pills to take to protect someone from radiation?
  • How is someone decontaminated if they get radioactive material on them (from a dirty bomb, for example)?
  • Is radiation exposure from a nuclear power plant always fatal?
  • What barriers provide protection from radiation produced by a nuclear power plant?
  • Why can't a nuclear gauge explode like a bomb?
  • Where can I learn more about radiation protection?

Index to all Frequently Asked Question Pages

Questions about Radiation

What is radiation?

Radiation is energy given off by matter in the form of rays or high-speed particles. All matter is composed of atoms. Atoms are made up of various parts; the nucleus contains minute particles called protons and neutrons, and the atom's outer shell contains other particles called electrons. The nucleus carries a positive electrical charge, while the electrons carry a negative electrical charge. These forces within the atom work toward a strong, stable balance by getting rid of excess atomic energy (radioactivity). In that process, unstable nuclei may emit a quantity of energy, and this spontaneous emission is what we call radiation.

There are many familiar forms of radiation. For example, we use light, heat, and microwaves every day. Doctors use x-rays to see inside our bodies. Radio and television waves bring us our favorite shows. All of these are forms of radiation. Radiation is also naturally present in our environment, as it has been since before the birth of this planet. The sun and stars send a constant stream of cosmic radiation to Earth, much like a steady drizzle of rain. Also, the Earth itself is a source of terrestrial radiation. Radioactive materials (including uranium, thorium, and radium) exist naturally in soil and rock. Essentially all air contains radon, water contains small amounts of dissolved uranium and thorium, and all organic matter (both plant and animal) contains radioactive carbon and potassium. In addition, all people have internal radiation, mainly from radioactive potassium-40 and carbon-14 inside their bodies from birth and, therefore, are sources of exposure to others. Finally, to a lesser degree, people are also exposed to radiation from the nuclear fuel cycle, from uranium mining and milling to disposal of used (spent) fuel. In addition, the public receives some minimal exposure from the transportation of radioactive materials and fallout from nuclear weapons testing and reactor accidents (such as Chernobyl).

Where does radiation come from?

Radiation is naturally present in our environment, as it has been since before the birth of this planet. In addition, radiation can be produced artificially, as in medical x-rays and microwaves for cooking. Nonetheless, most people are not aware of all the natural and man-made sources of radiation in our environment. For additional information, see