Should I Be Worried About Ionizing Radiation? Ionizing Radiation

The very word "radiation" conjures up scary images – nuclear weapons, cancer therapy, perhaps a science fiction movie scenario with giant mutant ants. In fact, radiation in one form or another is a part of our daily lives. Understanding what radiation, or specifically, ionizing radiation, is can help you understand what risks you face. Although ionizing radiation is a broad topic, we will examine several of the most common sources. We hope to give you a greater understanding of the risks and rewards of radiation in everyday life. You may be surprised to find that whereas exposure to some forms of ionizing radiation is indeed harmful, many forms are either beneficial or health neutral.