Science, society, and America's nuclear waste. [Contains glossary]

Technical Report · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6973425· OSTI ID:6973425

High-energy, ionizing radiation is called ionizing because it can knock electrons out of atoms and molecules, creating electrically charged particles called ions. Material that ionizing radiation passes through absorbs energy from the radiation mainly through this process of ionization. Ionizing radiation can be used for many beneficial purposes, but it also can cause serious, negative health effects. That is why it is one of the most thoroughly studied subjects in modern science. Most of our attention in this publication is focused on ionizing radiation -- what it is, where it comes from, and some of its properties.

• Research Organization: USDOE Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (OCRWM), Washington, DC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• OSTI ID: 6973425
• Report Number(s): DOE/RW-0362-SR; ON: TI93002388
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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