2 types of radiation:

1. Subatomic Particles

2. Electromagnetic Waves

Types of radiation we receive from nature include Cosmic Rays, Terrestrial

Radiation and Nuclide Decomposition.

1. Cosmic Rays: Primary which include all particles that arrive at earth from outer space. They generally do not all make their way through the earthπs atmosphere; however, the ones that do are secondary cosmic rays. They are particles rather than rays and develop in the upper atmosphere.

2. Terrestrial Radiation: emitted from natural radioactivity in soil, minerals and rocks.

3. Nuclide Decomposition: created from natural radioactivity in our bodies and from food or air.

Man made sources of Radiation

1. Nuclear Medicine: radioactive tracers for diagnostic therapy, analytical procedures, and pacemakers.

2. Medical X-Rays: fluoroscopy, chest X-Rays, dental X-Rays (gamma)

3. Consumer Products: TV, smoke detectors, and fossil fuels

4. Air Travel

5. Luminous Compounds

6. Building Materials

7. Nuclear Fuel Cycle

8. Bomb Testing

Nuclear power plants provide a sufficient amount of energy, but at a hazardous

cost due to the emitted radiation. The radiation we receive from a nuclear plant is in the form of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. However, alpha particles can be blocked by several sheets of paper, beta particles can be blocked by a thin sheet of aluminum and gamma particles can be blocked by a thick sheet of lead or concrete.

On average, a U.S. citizen will receive very little radiation from a nuclear power plant around the order of 0.01 millirems annually. Compared to the total 360 millirems we receive each year, this is extremely irrelevant. Federal limit for employees of a plant is 5,000 millirem annually and five millirem for the general public.