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Explainer: How much radiation is harmful to health?

Radiation is everywhere. We catch it from the sun’s rays in the sky, and from the rocks beneath our feet. It comes from television sets, radios and mobile phones. We absorb it from certain fruits, vegetables and nuts. But not all radiation is equal. Electromagnetic radiation, including radiowaves, microwave, visible and infrared light is known as nonionising radiation, and is largely harmless. On the other hand ionising radiation, from wavelengths shorter than ultraviolet light through the electromagnetic spectrum to X-rays and gamma rays, can cause disease and death. These effects are from its ability to ionise (that is, separate the positively and negatively charged ions) in bodily…

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Articles of Interest

Everyday Radiation Exposure Is A Tiny Health Risk

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A concerning new study links miscarriages to cellphone radiation. How worried should we be?

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After Japan Crisis, New Urgency for Radiation Drugs

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Air travel exposes you to radiation – how much health risk comes with it?

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This chart puts the radiation from air travel in perspective. (Spoiler: It's minuscule.)

Every time I pass through an airport — which is pretty often — I worry about the radiation I'm exposed to at airport security and then on the plane. But in a recent look at the evidence about the health effects of frequent flying, I learned that there's probably no need to fret...

Tiny Nukes

How dangerous are small doses of radiation?

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Resources

Calculate Your Radiation Dose

According to the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), the average yearly radiation dose per person in the U.S. is 620 mrem. Estimates are given in millirem (mrem). (The corresponding international unit for effective dose is the millisievert (mSv).)

Radiation Dosage Chart

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Radiation Dose in X-Ray and CT Exams

Comparisons of effective radiation dose with background radiation exposure for several radiological procedures.

Radiation Dose Calculator

We live in a radioactive world - humans always have. Radiation is part of our natural environment. We are exposed to radiation from materials in the earth itself, from naturally occurring radon in the air, from outer space, and from inside our own bodies (as a result of the food and water we consume). This radiation is measured in units called millisieverts (mSv). The average dose per person from all sources is about 6.20 mSv per year. It is not, however, uncommon for any of us to receive less or more than that in a given year (largely due to medical procedures we may undergo). International Standards allow exposure to as much as 50 mSv a year for those who work with and around radioactive material.

Radiation Answers

Our objective is to share factual, easy-to-read information. Knowledge can reduce fear and anxiety about radiation.

MedlinePlus

If you are exposed to small amounts of radiation over a long time, it raises your risk of cancer. It can also cause mutations in your genes, which you could pass on to any children you have after the exposure. A lot of radiation over a short period, such as from a radiation emergency, can cause burns or radiation sickness. Symptoms of radiation sickness include nausea, weakness, hair loss, skin burns and reduced organ function. If the exposure is large enough, it can cause premature aging or even death. You may be able to take medicine to reduce the radioactive material in your body.

Radiation's Effect Depends on Amount

Radiation is all around, in the ground, at the doctors' office and even from the sun and stars. While large doses can be harmful, these smaller doses are part of everyday life.