The Increasing Exposure of the Global Population to Ionizing Radiation

Ionizing radiation comprises sub-atomic particles or photons that are able to cause ionization in the medium they traverse. Examples are alpha-particles, electrons, x-rays and gamma-rays. Humans are exposed to ionizing radiation from natural and artificial sources. Ionizing radiation from natural sources comprises mainly, ranked from the largest dose: indoor radon; radionuclides in rocks, soils, etc.; cosmic radiation; and radionuclides ingested...