Radiation is energy that comes from a source and travels through space and may be

able to penetrate various materials. Light, radio, and microwaves are types of radiation
that are called nonionizing. The kind of radiation discussed in this document is
called ionizing radiation because it can produce charged particles (ions) in matter.
Ionizing radiation is produced by unstable atoms. Unstable atoms differ from stable
atoms because unstable atoms have an excess of energy or mass or both. Radiation
can also be produced by high-voltage devices (e.g., x-ray machines).
Atoms with unstable nuclei are said to be radioactive. In order to reach stability, these
atoms give off, or emit, the excess energy or mass. These emissions are
called radiation. The kinds of radiation are electromagnetic (like light) and particulate
(i.e., mass given off with the energy of motion). Gamma radiation and x rays are
examples of electromagnetic radiation. Gamma radiation originates in the nucleus while
x rays come from the electronic part of the atom. Beta and alpha radiation are examples
of particulate radiation.

The word radiation arises from the phenomenon of waves radiating.thousands of caces of cataract
are known among people who have received radiation deliberately for cancer and other conditions.

Background radiation is present on Earth at all times. The majority of background

radiation occurs naturally from minerals and a small fraction comes from man-
made elements. Naturally occurring radioactive minerals in the ground, soil, and
water produce background radiation. The human body even contains some of
these naturally-occurring radioactive minerals. Cosmic radiation from space also
contributes to the background radiation around us. There can be large variances
in natural background radiation levels from place to place, as well as changes in
the same location over time
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Ionizing radiation has sufficient energy to affect the atoms in living cells and
thereby damage their genetic material (DNA). Exposure to low-levels of radiation
does not cause immediate health effects, but can cause a small increase in
the risk of cancer over a lifetime.
Radiation is nothing but emission and propagation of energy. It is, however,
not necessary that radiation will only be emitted by radioactive substances.
Radiation includes all the forms of energy. It has been a part of the
environment since times immemorial. Whatever we do or wherever we go, we
cannot escape this form of energy. We are surrounded by a number of
radioactive substances like the floors, walls, and roofs of our homes and
offices. In addition, radioactive materials are present in the food we eat. Not
only this, but the air around us, also, contains radioactive gases. You might
find it quite surprising but our own bodies harbour many naturally
occurring radioactive elements.

1. Sun

One of the most important sources of energy is the Sun. The cosmic radiation
emitted from the Sun is a mixture of electromagnetic waves; which range from
infrared (IR) to ultraviolet rays (UV). In addition, it also emits visible light.
Most of the radiation emitted by the Sun is absorbed by the atmosphere.
However, the part which is not absorbed by the atmosphere reaches the earth.
Humans are exposed to this part of the radiation almost all times.

2- heat from a stove burner

While boiling water or cooking food, you are yet again exposed to radiation.
The visible sign of radiation is when you heat up a substance as much as you
can, say, for example, heating a stove for a long time will make it glow red.
This is a visible sign of radiation. However, even if it is visibly not glowing,
then also it radiates heat. Moreover, if the stove and the bottom of the pan are
not in contact physically, radiation is responsible for transferring heat from
the stove to the pan.

2. Television
Television has formed one of the most common forms of entertainment in the
past few years. Television, too, emits radiations. The old television sets emit x-
ray waves which can easily be absorbed by the human body, and is harmful as
well. However, modern TV sets use Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) or Plasma
Displays which are not only less harmful than the older sets but are also
incapable of producing x-rays. Nonetheless, modern-day technological types
of equipment do emit radio waves.

3- Medical Imaging
The use of xray for the removal of unwanted hair.
There is no doubt that during medical imaging, an individual is exposed to
radiations at a high level. During an x-ray, CT, and nuclear imaging, the body’s
internal organs and structures are revealed by the penetration of high-energy
wavelength or particles.

4. Oven

To heat food in a microwave oven, high levels of radiation are employed. Food
in the microwave oven is heated when microwaves are absorbed by the water
content present in the food. Absorption of the microwaves causes water
molecules to vibrate and, hence, produce heat.

5. Mobile Phones
This might not come as a surprise for you that mobile phones emit non-
ionizing radiations from their antennas. The exposure to radiofrequency
radiation causes heating of the area of the body where a mobile phone is being
held like near the ear. However, the amount of heat radiated is not sufficient
to increase the temperature of the body.

6. Black Light
Large amounts of ultraviolet radiations are produced by tanning booths, black
lights, mercury vapour lamps, halogen lights, fluorescent and incandescent
sources, and some types of lasers, which are artificial sources of radiation.
Black lights, also known as ultraviolet lamps, emit ultraviolet radiation which
appears as black light to human eyes.

7. Wifi Router

With the advancement in technology, wifi routers have found their way in each
and every household. There can be no denying the fact that wifi has become an
important part of our daily life. However, you might be surprised to know that
the wifi routers also emit electromagnetic radiations. The exposure to such
electromagnetic radiations can also have consequences on human health.

8. Laser Beam
As the name indicates, Light Amplification Stimulated Emission of Radiation
also produces radiation. The exposure to laser has often been the cause of
temporary blindness, disorientation, and headaches. However, lasers have
found widespread uses in lithography, printing, optics, DNA sequencing,
medicine and surgery, and laser cutting.

 Alpha radiation consists of heavy, positively charged particles emitted by atoms

of elements such as uranium and radium. Alpha radiation can be stopped
completely by a sheet of paper or by the thin surface layer of our skin
(epidermis). However, if alpha-emitting materials are taken into the body by
breathing, eating, or drinking, they can expose internal tissues directly and may,
therefore, cause biological damage.
 Beta radiation consists of electrons. They are more penetrating than alpha
particles and can pass through 1-2 centimetres of water. In general, a sheet of
aluminum a few millimetres thick will stop beta radiation.
 Gamma rays are electromagnetic radiation similar to X-rays, light, and radio
waves. Gamma rays, depending on their energy, can pass right through the
human body, but can be stopped by thick walls of concrete or lead.
 Neutrons are uncharged particles and do not produce ionization directly. But,
their interaction with the atoms of matter can give rise to alpha, beta, gamma, or
X-rays which then produce ionization. Neutrons are penetrating and can be
stopped only by thick masses of concrete, water or paraffin.
Although we cannot see or feel the presence of radiation, it can be detected and
measured in the most minute quantities with quite simple radiation measuring
instruments.