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Becoming Aware of Radiation Sources: Overview

RadTown USA

Explore an interactive, virtual community of houses, schools, laser light shows, construction equipment, flying planes, and moving trains. Each place in RadTown helps you learn about radiation sources or radiation- treated items you might find there.

There is radiation all around us and we need to be aware of the various sources--when to be concerned and how to protect ourselves from harmful exposure.

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On this page:

Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors and alarms are important home safety devices. Ionization chamber and photoelectric smoke detectors are the two most common types available commercially.

Food Irradiation
Food irradiation is a technology for controlling spoilage and eliminating food-borne pathogens, such as salmonella.

Mail Irradiation
In October, the deadly bacterium anthrax was found in mail sent to various news agencies, and to offices of the U.S. Congress. As a precaution, the U.S. Postal Service, with assistance from FBI and national public health experts, began irradiating mail to kill any potentially present anthrax spores.

Tobacco Smoke
By far, the largest radiation dose received by the public comes from smoking cigarettes. While cigarette smoke is not an obvious source of radiation exposure, it contains small amounts of radioactive materials which smokers bring into their lungs as they inhale.

Other Sources


Consumer Products

Consumer Products may contain, may have been treated with, or may emit radiation.

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Security Devices and Processes

Security devices, procedures, and processes often involve ionizing radiation. Many of the devices are regulated by federal agencies other than EPA or by state agencies. These links will lead you to information on such topics as airport luggage x-ray machines and irradiated mail.

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Construction Materials

Construction materials such as concrete, cinder blocks, bricks, and granite contain small amounts of radioactive materials that are found naturally in the materials used to make them.

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Food and Food Containers

Food may be exposed to the high energy of ionizing radiation to kill bacteria and other pathogens. Learn the pros and cons of this sterilization method. Some foods also contain naturally occurring radiation from the soil they grow in.

Also learn how naturally occurring radionuclides can remain in glazes used on food containers.

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Medical Procedures

Medical procedures are the major source of radiation exposure for many people.

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Naturally Occurring Radiation

Radiation has been part of the earth since its beginning.

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Radiologically Contaminated Sites

Land used by industries such as radium dial manufacturers or mining may be contaminated with radionuclides.

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Government and Industry

Government and industry processes often involve radioactive materials in their processes.

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RadNet

RadNet (formerly the Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System) is a nationwide system of stations monitoring for radiation in air, drinking water, precipitation, and pasteurized milk. This link provides access to a simple query form for finding data from specific locations.

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