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Natural background radiation

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Natural background radiation

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/radiationexposureandcancer/xraysgammaraysandcancerrisk/x-rays-gamma-rays-and-cancer-risk-natural-



background-radiation

We are all exposed to some amount of radiation just from being on this 
planet. This is known as background radiation. In the United States this 
averages about 3 mSv per year. For most people, background radiation 
accounts for most of their exposure to ionizing radiation during the 
year. It comes from several different sources.



Cosmic rays

Cosmic rays are radioactive particles that hit the earth from outer 
space. They come from the sun and from other stars. The earth’s 
atmosphere blocks a portion of these rays, but some of them reach the 
ground.

Because the atmosphere blocks some cosmic rays, exposure is greater at 
higher altitudes. For example, people who live in Denver, Colorado, 
which is at a high elevation, are exposed to slightly more cosmic rays 
than people living at sea level. People are also exposed to higher 
levels of cosmic rays during airplane flights. Airline pilots and flight 
attendants, who spend many hours at high elevations, are exposed to more 
of these rays, but it is not clear if they have an increased risk of 
cancer because of it.




Radiation in the earth

People are also exposed to small amounts of radiation from radioactive 
elements that occur naturally in rocks and soil. Some of these may end 
up in building materials used in houses and other structures. Tiny 
amounts of radiation may even be found in drinking water and in some 
plant-based foods as a result of being in contact with the soil. For 
people who *smoke tobacco* can account for a significant portion of the 
yearly radiation they receive.




Radon

The largest source of natural background radiation for most people is 
radon. This is an odorless, colorless gas that is formed from the 
breakdown of radioactive elements in the ground. Radon levels are 
usually higher inside buildings and homes, especially in levels closer 
to the ground such as basements. Radon levels can vary a great deal, 
depending on where you live or work. For example, exposure is higher for 
people who work in mines. For more detailed information on radon and its 
possible health effects, see Radon.

Last Medical Review: 02/24/2015
Last Revised: 02/24/2015

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Natural background radiation Sergio <invalid@invalid.com> - 2016-06-08 14:39 -0500
  Re: Natural background radiation jimp@specsol.spam.sux.com - 2016-06-08 21:24 +0000
    Re: Natural background radiation Sergio <invalid@invalid.com> - 2016-06-08 23:32 -0500
      Re: Natural background radiation benj <nobodyxx@gmail> - 2016-06-09 03:41 -0400
      Re: Natural background radiation jimp@specsol.spam.sux.com - 2016-06-09 05:49 +0000
  Re: Natural background radiation omnilobe@gmail.com - 2016-06-08 19:08 -0700
  Re: Natural background radiation eaglesondouglas@gmail.com - 2016-06-09 07:38 -0700

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