Source of Radiation Around Us
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Various sources of radiation can be found in everyday life. Although not in lethal doses, contact with these radiation sources should be limited because it can increase the risk of various types of cancer.
Quoted from Time, Monday (09/20/2010), humans will only die if exposed to radiation with an intensity of over 1 million miles. But every 10,000 milligrams can increase cancer risk by 1 percent.
According to the US Department of Energy, the average American is exposed to radiation with an intensity of 370 miles per year. This number can vary by individual depending on the location of the residence and the lifestyle in question.
While radiation sources that can be found in daily life include the following.
Cigarettes
Even without radiation, cigarettes already have everything to cause cancer. Various compounds contained in cigarettes are carcinogens or cancer triggers such as arsenic, benzene, and hydrogen cyanide.
The risk of cancer is increasing because cigarettes are also a source of radiation because they contain polonium and radioactive lead molecules. These molecules emit radiation up to 1,300 milirem per year in smokers who regularly consume 1.5 packs a day.
Medical radiation
The radiation intensity at medical radiation varies depending on the type. X-rays to examine joints for example, only produce very small radiation, which is about 10 miles.
However, irradiation of internal organs as in colonography can produce up to 10,000 milligrams of radiation, enough to increase the risk of cancer by 1 percent. This risk must of course be taken if there is a possibility of suffering from colon cancer and there are recommendations from the doctor to perform the procedure.
Air travel
Long trips by air will provide radiation exposure even in small intensities. Every distance of 4,890 miles or about 7,870 km, the radiation produced is only about 6 miles.
But that does not include radiation obtained at airport security checkpoints that range in intensity from 10 milirem. If in one flight you have to undergo 2 checks, the total radiation obtained is 26 millirems.
Watching television
Over the age of 2 years, the average person spends 4.5 hours in front of the television. This habit also provides radiation exposure even though it is very small, which is about 1 millimeter produced from the delivery of electric current.
Live in the highlands
Location of residence affects the amount of radiation exposure, due to differences in air layer. In the highlands, higher ultraviolet rays give a difference of about 26 milirem higher than living in the lowlands.
Mobile phone
The intensity of radiation emitted by mobile phones is much smaller when compared to X-ray machines, for example. But this does not reduce the danger, considering this device is very often used.
Especially because it is used around the head, experts worry that the radiation will accumulate and cause brain cancer. The risk to the brains of babies and children is higher, because brain cells are in their infancy.