Radiation Pollution
Exposing food to radiation makes it radioactive. Fact or Fiction?
Fiction.
Food irradiation is a technology for controlling spoilage and eliminating foodborne pathogens (e.g., salmonella). Like pasteurization, irradiation kills bacteria and other pathogens that could otherwise result in spoilage or food poisoning. Irradiation is safe and does not cause food to become radioactive.
What are different sources of radiation?
The sun, uranium, and Earth's crust.
Radiation was discovered during World War II when the atomic bomb was developed. Fact or Fiction?
Fiction.
Radiation is all around us and has been present since the birth of this planet.
T/F - If you are exposed to radiation you will develop cancer.
False.
We are regularly exposed to some amounts of radiation. Our bodies have “repair genes” that help cells repair themselves from radiation exposure, much like the way our bodies heal from a sunburn or injury. However, large doses or long-term exposure to radiation may damage our body’s DNA to the extent that it cannot repair itself. The extent of the damage depends on the total amount of energy absorbed, the time period (duration) and dose rate of the exposure, and the particular organs exposed. Also, everyone reacts differently to radiation exposure.
Living near a nuclear power plant poses less risk of radiation exposure than living in a home or area with high radon levels.
Fact.
Radon exposure accounts for 37 percent of our annual exposure to radiation, and living in a home or area with high radon levels can be very harmful to your health. Nuclear power plants implement many radiation protection measures to limit your exposure to radiation. Therefore, living near a power plant barely increases your radiation exposure.
Children are more sensitive to radiation than adults. Fact or Fiction?
Fact.
Children are growing more rapidly than adults. There are more cells dividing and a greater opportunity for radiation to disrupt the growth process. Recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) radiation protection standards take into account the differences in sensitivity due to age and gender.
As time passed, studies revealed that X-Ray exposure is what?
It is cumulative, and that no level of exposure is absolutely safe.
T/F - People who live in Denver, Colorado, receive more exposure to cosmic radiation than people living in Florida.
True.
Even though Florida is known as the “Sunshine State,” people at higher altitudes receive more exposure from cosmic radiation than people who live at a lower altitude.
Radiation exposure will cause you to glow. Fact or Fiction?
Fiction.
While many fictional movies and the media have portrayed this, radiation does not cause you to glow.
When searching for a signal on a cell phone, does it emit more or less radiation?
They emit more radiation looking for a signal.
T/F - Cigarettes are a source of radiation exposure.
True.
Naturally-occurring radioactive minerals accumulate on the sticky surfaces of tobacco leaves as the plant grows, and these minerals remain on the leaves throughout the manufacturing process.
T/F - Radioactive waste remains radioactive forever.
False.
Some radioactive materials and radioactive waste may remain radioactive for hundreds or thousands of years, while others only remain radioactive for seconds or days.
Most radiation that we are exposed to is man-made. Fact or Fiction?
Fiction.
Approximately half of our annual radiation exposure comes from natural sources like cosmic rays from outer space or radon gas in the soil. This is called “background radiation.” The other half of our annual exposure comes from man-made sources of radiation.
No one should ever have a "routine" X-Ray examination, each exam should have what?
A definite purpose, and its benefits and risks should be carefully reviewed.
T/F - Radiation from a tanning bed is more harmful than radiation from the sun.
Our bodies do not differentiate between types of radiation; they absorb radiation as energy regardless of the source, dose or type.