Radiation is one of those words that scares many people. You've probably heard about men and women who avoid microwaves, doubt the safety of mobile phones, and are often worried about the radiation around them. But here's the interesting thing: the real danger may be hidden in completely different things that we don't even think about. In this article, we'll figure out what really emits radiation around us and whether they are so dangerous for us. Everyone should know about this!
We're Regularly Exposed to Radiation, but We Don't Even Know It. Image source: shutterstock.com
Contents
- 1 What is radiation
- 2 X-ray radiation
- 3 Airport scanner
- 4 Radiation from bananas
- 5 Radiation from cigarettes
- 6 Radiation in water
What is radiation
First, let's dive into the term “radiation” and find out what it means.
Radiation is a form of energy that travels through space in the form of waves or particles. Everything from radio waves and microwaves to light and x-rays are considered this type of energy. However, not all radiation is dangerous.
The most dangerous forms of radiation come from radioactive elements that decay over decades, releasing energetic particles such as electrons (beta rays), protons (alpha rays), and neutrons.
This sign indicates a radioactive hazard. Image source: reddit.com
To assess the degree of harmfulness of radiation, it is necessary to take into account two key parameters: its intensity and the frequency of the waves. The higher the frequency, the more energy is contained in the radiation, and if it is powerful enough, it can damage the DNA and cells of our body. Such radiation is called ionizing and is measured in sieverts. One sievert can already increase the risk of cancer by about 5.5%, and eight sieverts with a high degree of probability lead to death.
Let's find out what sources of radiation we encounter every day?
X-rays
X-rays, which allow doctors to diagnose broken bones and other internal injuries, cause fear in many people, especially when it comes to their effects on children or pregnant women.
However, modern research shows that the radiation dose from a standard X-ray is significantly lower than the dangerous level. For example, during a standard X-ray a person receives only about 0.11 millisieverts (mSv), and with fluorography – even less, about 0.04 mSv. For comparison, during an eight-hour flight on an airplane a person receives almost the same dose of natural radiation.
When used in moderation, X-rays are not dangerous to human health. Image source: sciencephoto.com
The highest dose of radiation among diagnostic procedures is given by computed tomography (CT) – about 4 mSv per examination. But even this is tens of times lower than the thresholds at which radiation can cause serious harm to human health. If necessary, X-rays can be done even for pregnant women, since the risk to the health of the mother and child is minimal if the procedure is truly justified.
Read also: How X-rays can protect the Earth from asteroids
Airport scanner
Many people worry about the safety of airport scanners, since they also use X-rays to check passengers. However, the radiation dose that passengers receive when passing through a scanner is actually between 0.015 and 0.88 microsieverts (µSv), which is extremely low. To get a dose comparable to a regular X-ray, you would have to pass through such a scanner thousands of times.
Airport scanners don't pose a serious threat to us either. Image source: biletik.aero
Airport scanners do not pose a serious health risk. Even with frequent flights and constant screening, the radiation dose from these devices is negligible compared to the background radiation we encounter every day. Whether it is a granite countertop, a banana or a concrete wall – they all emit radiation, but in safe quantities, like airport scanners.
Radiation from bananas
Since we are talking about radioactivity, it is worth mentioning bananas.
Many of you have probably heard that bananas are not only a tasty and healthy fruit, but also a source of a small amount of radiation. This is due to the fact that they contain potassium-40, a radioactive isotope that is naturally present in nature. However, do not be afraid! Although bananas do emit ionizing radiation, its amount is so small that it does not pose any health hazard.
The fact that bananas can also emit radiation still surprises many people. Image source: pinterest.com
For clarity, scientists even introduced the term “banana equivalent radiation”. By eating one banana, a person receives only 0.0778 microsieverts – this is extremely little compared to some medical procedures. For example, a CT scan of the chest “costs” 70 thousand bananas, and the impact of a nuclear power plant on the environment for a year can be compared with 2.5 thousand bananas.
You will be interested in: 5 most common myths about radiation
Radiation from cigarettes
Few people think that cigarettes are not only a source of nicotine, but also radiation. Tobacco smoke contains radioactive elements such as radium-226, lead-210 and polonium-210, which settle in the lungs when smoked. These substances emit alpha particles, which are much more dangerous than X-rays. As a result, smokers receive a dose of radiation that can reach 250 microsieverts per year if a person smokes 30 cigarettes daily.
Cigarettes are one of the strongest sources of radiation that surrounds us. Image source: pinterest.com
According to Rospotrebnadzor, this dose exceeds the radiation load that a person receives from being in the radiation-hazardous zone of Chernobyl. Moreover, smoking is dangerous not only for the smoker himself, but also for those who inhale the smoke – passive smokers are also exposed to radiation, albeit in smaller doses.
Radiation in water
Water is the basis of life, but even it can contain radioactive elements. One of the most common is tritium, which is formed in the atmosphere by cosmic rays. However, its content in drinking water is usually so small that it is considered safe for health. Every year, we receive about 50 microsieverts of radiation through drinking water, which is a safe level.
Water may also contain radioactive elements, but they are extremely rare. Image source: greenenergia.ru
Water may also contain other radioactive elements, such as radon, uranium, and radium. These substances can enter water sources from rocks and soil. Although radiation concentrations in water are usually low, Rospotrebnadzor recommends regularly testing it to ensure that it is safe to drink and does not exceed permissible levels of radioactivity.
Radiation surrounds us everywhere: in the air, water, and even in everyday objects. But do not panic: most sources of radiation are safe in small doses. However, it is important to understand how it affects the body and how to minimize the risk.
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If you want to learn more about the types of radiation and the measures that can help reduce the risk of exposure, we recommend reading our article “What types of radiation are there and how to protect yourself from them?”