Sources
Ionizing radiation is generated through nuclear reactions, nuclear decay, by very high temperature, or via acceleration of charged particles in electromagnetic fields. Natural sources include the sun, lightning and supernova explosions. Artificial sources include nuclear reactors, particle accelerators, and x-ray tubes.
The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) itemized types of human exposures.
| Public exposure | ||
| Natural Sources | Normal occurances | Cosmic radiation |
| Terrestrial radiation | ||
| Enhanced sources | Metal mining and smelting | |
| Phosphate industry | ||
| Coal mining and power production from coal | ||
| Oil and gas drilling | ||
| Rare earth and titanium dioxide industries | ||
| Zirconium and ceramics industries | ||
| Application of radium and thorium | ||
| Other exposure situations | ||
| Man-made sources | Peaceful purposes | Nuclear power production |
| Transport of nuclear and radioactive material | ||
| Application other than nuclear power | ||
| Military purposes | Nuclear tests | |
| Residues in the environment. Nuclear fallout | ||
| Historical situations | ||
| Exposure from accidents | ||
| Occupational radiation exposure | ||
| Natural Sources | Cosmic ray exposures of aircrew and space crew | |
| Exposures in extractive and processing industries | ||
| Gas and oil extraction industries | ||
| Radon exposure in workplaces other than mines | ||
| Man-made sources | Peaceful purposes | Nuclear power industries |
| Medical uses of radiation | ||
| Industrial uses of radiation | ||
| Miscellaneous uses | ||
| Military purposes | Other exposed workers | |
Read more about this topic: Atomic Radiation
Famous quotes containing the word sources:
“No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we’re looking for the sources of our troubles, we shouldn’t test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power.”
—P.J. (Patrick Jake)
“On board ship there are many sources of joy of which the land knows nothing. You may flirt and dance at sixty; and if you are awkward in the turn of a valse, you may put it down to the motion of the ship. You need wear no gloves, and may drink your soda-and-brandy without being ashamed of it.”
—Anthony Trollope (1815–1882)
“I count him a great man who inhabits a higher sphere of thought, into which other men rise with labor and difficulty; he has but to open his eyes to see things in a true light, and in large relations; whilst they must make painful corrections, and keep a vigilant eye on many sources of error.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)