Radiation, more accurately termed as electromagnetic radiation (EMR), encompasses a range of waves including radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays. The health effects of radiation and potential dangers, especially at low levels, have been extensively researched and debated.

Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) refer to fields produced by electrically charged objects, which can be static, like the Earth’s magnetic field, or dynamic, like radio waves from a cell phone.

Every day, people are exposed to varying degrees of radiation, both from natural sources like radon and cosmic rays, and from man-made sources such as medical tests, body scanners, and cell phones.

While it’s recognized that no level of radiation can be considered absolutely risk-free, many sources of radiation, when managed and minimized appropriately, are “officially” deemed to pose very low risks to health.

What is radiation and where does it come from?

Radiation encompasses invisible energy waves, some of which result from unstable atoms releasing energy to become more stable. This radiation can be both naturally occurring and man-made.

The primary sources of naturally occurring radiation that humans are exposed to include:

  • Radon gases: These originate from the decay of radium in the earth and account for about 55% of natural radiation exposure.
  • Thorium & Potassium: Found in the earth’s crust, they contribute to approximately 8% of natural radiation.
  • Cosmic Radiation: Emitted from the sun and space, this accounts for around 8% of natural radiation exposure.

On the other hand, man-made or artificial sources of radiation include:

  • X-rays: Used in medical imaging and diagnostics.
  • Microwave ovens: These devices emit non-ionizing radiation to heat food, but this radiation is contained within the oven and doesn’t pose a risk when the oven is used correctly.
  • Medical tests: Procedures like mammograms use radiation. It’s worth noting that while chemotherapy is a cancer treatment, it doesn’t involve radiation. Radiation therapy, however, does.
  • Airport body scanners: These devices use radiation to scan individuals for security purposes.
  • Nuclear power plants: Designed to contain radiation, they release very minimal levels to the environment.
  • Flying: High-altitude flights expose individuals to increased levels of cosmic radiation.
  • Other technologies: While many modern devices emit low levels of non-ionizing radiation, it’s essential to differentiate between these and more potent sources of ionizing radiation.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), around 80% of the radiation humans are exposed to comes from natural sources. The remaining 20% is attributed to man-made sources. However, these percentages can vary based on factors like geographic location, occupation, and individual habits.

How is radiation measured?

Radiation is measured in units called “rem” unless when referring to the metric system, in which case it would be referred to as “sieverts.”

  • rem: Stands for “Roentgen equivalent man.” It’s a unit used in the U.S. to measure the absorbed dose of ionizing radiation and its potential for biological harm.
  • sievert (Sv): This is the SI unit for measuring the biological effect of ionizing radiation (equivalent dose). One sievert is equivalent to 100 rem.

It’s worth noting that for many practical purposes, especially in medical contexts, doses are often given in smaller units like millirem (mrem) or millisievert (mSv), where 1,000 mrem = 1 rem and 1,000 mSv = 1 Sv.

Here are two different charts:

 MillisievertsMillirems
Chest x-ray0.110
Two-view mammogram0.3636
Average annual background exposure in the U.S.3300
Cardiac nuclear stress test9.4940
CT scan of the abdomen101,000
Coronary angiogram202,000
Average exposure of evacuees from Belarus after 1986 Chernobyl disaster313,100
Annual dose limit* for nuclear power plant workers505,000
Spike recorded at  Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant400 per hour40,000 per hour
Acute radiation sickness begins1,000 (or 1 sievert)100,000

Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Health Physics Society, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, International Atomic Energy Agency

In 1986, the largest nuclear power plant eruption occurred in Ukraine known as the Chernobyl disaster. In this event people were exposed to more nuclear radiation than ever before recorded in history.

The 2011 nuclear plant incident in Fukushima, Japan harnessed growing concerns globally not only for the people in Japan, but also for people in other parts of the world that may be impacted by the radiation, as it would slowly encompass different regions.

Here is a resource to keep up-to-date on nuclear radiation depicted in the US, updated in real time every minute.

To What Extent Should People Worry About Radiation?

Unfortunately, radiation exposure is unavoidable as radiation is everywhere at all times. No matter where you are, some type of radiation is being emitted near you either by a nuclear plant nearby, radio towers, the TV in your living room, or from within the earth’s crust.

  • Nuclear plant: Designed to contain and minimize emissions. Most people receive a negligible amount of their annual radiation dose from nuclear power plants unless they live very close to one.
  • Radio towers: These emit non-ionizing radiofrequency radiation, different from ionizing radiation like X-rays.
  • TV: Modern TVs do not emit significant ionizing radiation. Older cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs did emit low levels of X-rays, but this is not a concern with modern LCD, LED, or OLED TVs.
  • Earth’s crust: The earth’s crust emits ionizing radiation due to naturally occurring radioactive materials.

There are many factors that must be taken into consideration when discussing radiation exposure and its dangers. Here are factors to consider, with each one able to be controlled to some extent for radiation protection.

  • Amount or quantity of radiation exposure
  • Concentration, or focus of radiation exposure
  • Proximity of radiation exposure
  • Intensity of radiation exposure
  • Duration of radiation exposure

Here is a Radiation Calculator provided by the Environmental Protection Agency to see just how much radiation you may be exposed to annually.

Having an idea of how much radiation you are actually exposed to on a daily basis can make a huge difference when it comes to protecting your health from radiation. If the amount of radiation seems high you should reduce the amount of activities which involve radiation.

Radiation Amount

The amount of radiation the average person is exposed to annually is 620 mrem, according to the EPA. Of course, exposure varies based on how often X-rays are administered, how often flights are taken, how much radon is in our homes, and many other factors.

Radiation Concentration

The concentration of radiation is also very important. As an example. there has been much debate over body scanner’s in airports and the radiation emitted by them to travelers. To someone who travels all the time, this radiation is a larger threat than to someone who seldom travels. But the actual risk from airport scanners is very low. For context, the radiation dose from a backscatter X-ray scanner is equivalent to the radiation received in about 2 minutes of flying at cruising altitude.

There is simply a significant difference between radiation that is concentrated to one specific area and radiation allocated throughout the entire body.

Similarly, cell phones cause a relatively low amount of radiation, but all of that radiation is more focused near the brain.

Radiation Proximity

As mentioned, living near a nuclear reactor (proximity), is much more concerning than being far away from one. This is also true for any device that might emit radiation.

Radiation Intensity

  • Dental X-ray: A dental X-ray is an example of a high-intensity, short-duration exposure. The X-ray machine emits a brief, intense burst of ionizing radiation to capture an image of your teeth. However, the duration is very short, often just a fraction of a second.
  • Living at High Altitudes: People living in places like Denver, Colorado (often called the “Mile-High City” because it’s approximately a mile above sea level) are exposed to slightly higher levels of cosmic radiation than those at sea level. This radiation is of low intensity, but it’s continuous, so the exposure duration is long (as long as one lives there).

Radiation Exposure Duration

  • CT (Computed Tomography) Scan: A CT scan is a medical imaging procedure that uses a series of X-ray measurements taken from different angles to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the body. The intensity of radiation during a CT scan is higher than that of a standard X-ray, and the duration can be several minutes, depending on the type of CT scan.
  • Wearing a Luminous Watch: Some older luminous watches used radium to make the hands and numbers glow in the dark. While the radiation emitted by the radium is low in intensity, the duration of exposure could be long, especially if someone wore the watch for many years.

Either way, it isn’t just one source of radiation which poses a health threat – it’s all of them combined.

Are single radiation sources such as the naked body scanners a huge threat alone? Maybe not, but including that radiation dose with all other “small” doses of radiation coming from various other sources may eventually lead to a health problem.

Health Risks of Being Exposed to too Much Radiation

The risk of health effects from radiation is believed to increase with cumulative exposure. However, it’s important to note that the body doesn’t “accumulate” radiation in the way it might accumulate toxins. Instead, it’s the cumulative damage from radiation exposure over time that can increase health risks.

  • Cancer – The most noted health risk that comes from being exposed to too much radiation is cancer. Ionizing radiation exposure can increase the risk of cancer. The type and likelihood of cancer depend on several factors, including the dose, duration, and type of radiation, as well as the part of the body exposed.
  • Genetic defects in children of exposed parents – High doses of radiation can cause mutations in reproductive cells, potentially leading to genetic defects in the offspring of exposed individuals.
  • Neurodevelopment issues in unborn children of exposed mothers – High doses of radiation exposure to a fetus, especially during critical periods of brain development, can lead to mental retardation. This was observed, for instance, after the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This is why ultrasounds are used during pregnancy, a it’s a safer medical imaging test.
  • Damage to the gastrointestinal tract leading to nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (too much radiation could destroy the lining of the GI tract which could be fatal) – Acute radiation syndrome (ARS) can result from very high levels of radiation exposure over a short period. One of the symptoms of ARS is damage to the gastrointestinal system, leading to the symptoms described.
  • Thyroid damage ultimately leading to cancer – The thyroid gland is particularly sensitive to ionizing radiation, especially from radioactive iodine. People exposed to fallout from nuclear tests or accidents can inhale or ingest radioactive iodine, which can accumulate in the thyroid and increase the risk of thyroid cancer.
  • Damage to bone marrow which may cause the body to be highly susceptible to infection and may also cause bleeding – Bone marrow is sensitive to radiation, and its damage can lead to a decrease in the production of blood cells. This can result in anemia, increased susceptibility to infections (due to a reduction in white blood cells), and bleeding (due to a reduction in platelets).

Do the benefits outweigh the risks?

Just like anything else in life, a topic like this needs to really be put into perspective. It has already been established that no amount of radiation should be considered safe, but should this cause monumental concerns?

Driving, for example, exposes you to some small amount of radiation. Is it really necessary to impound your car and buy a bicycle in order to avoid the small amount of radiation from driving? Probably not, since the benefits in this case outweigh the risks for the vast majority of people. Same idea for flying.

Instead of stressing out about the radiation from activities such as driving, omit another source of radiation exposure from your life. Simply by talking on your cell phone less will result in less radiation exposure. Even placing your cell phone far away from you instead of in your pocket at all times limits exposure. Although it’s a small amount, it is a very simple solution.

Everything in life has a benefit and a risk. What you need to decide for yourself is if the benefit outweighs the risk. There is always room for improvement, but we should never stress out too much while making these improvements.

What can I do to protect myself from this electromagnetic chaos?

Many people believe radiation protection is key in todays society. The necessary protective precautions that should be taken to protect oneself from radiation vary based on the factors listed above: amount or quantity, concentration, focus, proximity, intensity, and duration of the radiation exposure.

Cell phones are extremely prominent in today’s day and age with just about everyone keeping their cell phone close by when not talking on it. A simple way to protect oneself from cell phone radiation is to invest in a cell phone radiation protector.

The body and brain is made up of water, sugars, and fats. Microwaves exuded by cell phones agitate these substances in our bodies. EMR blockers have been shown to block or neutralize the microwaves exuded by cell phones, protecting the brain and other parts of your body.

Due to the ongoing bombardment of electromagnetic chaos in today’s world, it would also be extremely beneficial to invest in a electromagnetic chaos eliminator. Various websites can provide you with pendants, rings, and even decorative items for your house which will neutralize the EMC waves.

By neutralizing the electromagnetic chaos in your home, you will feel better, healthier, happier, and more alive.

What about nuclear fallout?

For more serious situations such as the nuclear disaster in Fukushima, a supplement known as Potassium Iodide (KI) has received massive recognition as a solution to radiation exposure. Ever since the nuclear disaster at Fukushima, many stores have even sold out of this supplement, with consumers ingesting as much as 130mg.

Taking a large dose of iodide can be a great method for warding off radioactivity. This method of protection, however, should not be adopted by everyone who is concerned about radiation exposure. Although it may help for some people exposed to massive amounts of radiation, it could cause a great deal of thyroid toxicity.

Instead, people who are preparing for a radioactive cloud to pass by should take smaller doses of this supplement for protection.

Why potassium iodide?

Most people are iodine deficient. The thyroid’s job is to produce hormones to carry out various functions, and it does this through iodine absorption. If iodine is not available for the body to absorb then it will devour it from the environment.

When someone is deficient in iodine while being exposed to radioactivity, the body will indistinguishably absorb that toxic radioactive iodine. This leads to damage to your thyroid, and ultimately to radiation accumulation. B

y giving your body non-toxic iodine, it will readily absorb that iodine instead of the radioactive cloud that passes. In addition, the supplement will protect you from fluoride, bromine, and chlorine damage.

The amount of potassium iodide taken varies based on exposure levels. Some experts recommend that taking 130mg of potassium iodide a day is sufficient, but controversy stirs in this topic. Other experts believe 130mg is way too much, and that a dose as small as 12.5mg daily should be taken for sufficient protection.

It is also important to consider that taking this supplement will only protect you from radiation for about one day and won’t undo radiation you may have already been exposed to.

Risks of taking Potassium Iodide

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the possible risks of taking KI are:

  • Intestinal upset
  • Allergic Reactions
  • Rashes
  • Inflammation of the salivary glands

These possible risks are only likely to occur if you:

  • Take a higher than recommended dose of KI
  • Take the drug for several days
  • Have pre-existing thyroid disease

Other forms of protection from nuclear fallout

  • Sea vegetables  – Like all vegetables, vegetables from the sea are extremely nutritious. Consuming vegetables such as kelp can provide you with enough iodine if you are unable to supplement or would rather obtain it from a food source. The problem with sea vegetables, however, is that they are very likely to be toxic.  Just like all fish, sea vegetables have been found to be contaminated with mercury, PCB’s, and dioxins. When choosing to go with kelp instead of supplementing with iodine, be sure to have a way of knowing if it is toxic or not.
  • Chlorella – Chlorella is full of chlorophyll, which wards off radiation.
  • Spirulina – Spirulina has been been shown to not only enhance the immune system and reduce cholesterol, but also protect the body from radiation.
  • Vitamin C – Vitamin C is a powerful anti-toxicity nutrient. Everyone should be taking vitamin C regularly not only for its numerous health benefits, but also for its ability to prepare and strengthen your body for an upcoming toxic attack.

You should also:

  • Spend less time near radiation sources if possible.
  • Stay as far away as possible when near radiation sources.
  • Shield yourself behind lead, concrete, or water for more of a barrier between you and the radiation.
  • Not use microwave ovens
  • Inquire about getting your radon levels measured in your home. If the level is too high, or even if it isn’t too high, see what measures can be taken to reduce the radon exposure.

The Bottom Line

It seems radiation will always be a part of our lives. Taking measures for protection is recommended, but it’s important to remember not to panic because of any radiation you have been exposed to.

Keeping stress levels down will keep your immune system stronger, and fighting off anything and everything that is harmful will be that much easier.

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