Consumer products, radiation exposure

Radiation is present everywhere. Humans are exposed to sources of ionizing radiation from the earth, from interstellar space, from medical diagnostic procedures, from man-made radiation from power plants or fallout from nuclear-bomb testing, or even from consumer products. This exposure can be classified into the following four categories naturally occurring radiation, radiation from products of technology, radiation from consumer prod-... 

Radiation Exposure From Consumer Products and Miscella-... 

Once radioactive decay starts, it continues until all the atoms have reached a stable state. The radioisotope can only be shielded to prevent exposure to the radiation. The most common applications of gamma rays are sterilization of single-use medical supplies, elimination of organisms from pharmaceuticals, microbial reduction in and on consumer products, cancer treatment, and processing of polymers (cross-linking, polymerization, degradation etc.). 

Radiation Exposure from Consumer Products and Miscellaneous Sources (1977). [Superseded by NCRP Report No. 95]... 

NCRP (1987c). National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements. Radiation Exposure of the U.S. Population from Consumer Products and Miscellaneous Sources, NCRP Report No. 95 (National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda, Maryland). 

Man-made sources of radiation account for about 65 mrem/yr for U.S. residents. Exposure to medical radiation yields an average dose of 53 mrem/yr, although this varies considerably depending on a person s actual medical history. Consumer products expose us to about 10 mrem/yr, and all other sources of man-made radiation contribute another 2 mrem/yr to our average radiation exposure. Artificial sources of radiation account for about 16% of total radiation exposure. Some of these consumer products are smoke detectors, certain types of ceramic materials, some static eliminators, and welding electrodes. 

Numerous sources of ionizing radiation can lead to human exposure natural sources, nuclear explosions, nuclear power generation, use of radiation in medical, industrial and research purposes and radiation-emitting consumer products. Before assessing the radiation dose to the population, one requires a precise knowledge of the activity of a number of radionuclides. The basis for the assessment of the dose to the population from a release of radioactivity to the environment, the estimation of the potential clinical health effects due to the dose received and, ultimately, the implementation of countermeasures to protect the population is the measurement of radioactive contamination in the environment after the release. The types of radiation one should consider include ... 

It is the purpose of this book to present the facts about the presence of radionuclides in nature. The use of technology can significantly modify the exposure to natural radiation. Among the human activities which should be considered in this context are (i) the electricity generation by coal-fired power plants, (ii) the use of phosphate fertilizers, and (iii) many consumer products. Man-made radioactivity has found many useful applications in everyday life. The best known are medical applications. The use of radionuclides and radioactivity in diagnosis and treatment of diseases is well established practice. 

Fitzgerald, J.E. and Sensitaffar, E.L., Radiation exposure from construction materials utilizing by-product gypsum from phosphate mining. In Mogihissi et al. (eds.). Radioactivity in consumer products, pp. 351-368. Report NUREG/CP-OOOl. Washington Nucl. Reg. Commission, 1978. 

The use of consumer products that contain radioactive sources can contribute to nonoccupational exposures (320). Examples of consumer products incorporating radioactive materials are radioluminescent indicators (timepieces, signs, instrument dials), ionization smoke detectors, anti-static devices, dentistry porcelains, pottery glazes, incandescent gas mantles, and tobacco products. Low levels of radiation are also generated by such sources as color television tubes, but emissions are well controlled and the glass of the picture tube is sufficiently thick to absorb most of this radiation. 

NCRP. Radiation Exposure of the U.S. Population from Consumer Products and Miscellaneous Sources. Bethesda, MD NCRP, 1987. 

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