SOURCES OF IONIZING EXPOSURE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1962 · Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine (U.S.)

OSTI ID:4770055

Eisenbud, M

The 3 important sources of radiation exposure of the general population are discussed, namely, natural radioactivity, medical x rays, and fallout. From natural radioactivity in New York City individuals are exposed to almost 100 millirad per year. This is divided roughly into about 40 millirad from internal sources and about 60 from externai sources. The internal component comes from K/ sup 40/, C/sup 14/, and Ra. The actual levels of exposure due to nntural radioactivity are quite variable. Comparison of the levels in parts of Brooklyn to those in Washington Heights showed a 20% difference. Reasons for this are given. Medical use of ionizing radiation is an important source that has increased steadily. In New York City it is estimated that the per capita dose from the diagnostic use of x rays was about 100 millirad per year in 1956. The dose from fallout to the skeleton or gonads averages 5 to 10 millirad per year, and the I/sup 131/ dose to the thyroid is somewhat higher. From the 1961 Soviet tests it is estimated that the milk-drinking population received about 50 millirad of exposure to the thyroid from I/sup 131/. Hence fallout contributes about 5% of the total dose to the gonads and skeleton, and a higher fraction of the total dose to the thyroid. The iargest component in which improvement can be made is the medical component, which is probably about equal in magnitude to the natural radioactivity. (P.C.H.)

• Research Organization: New York Univ., New York
• NSA Number: NSA-17-012502
• OSTI ID: 4770055
• Journal Information: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine (U.S.), Journal Name: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 38; ISSN BNYMA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ABSORPTION
BACKGROUND
BONES
CARBON 14
CONTAMINATION
FALLOUT
GONADS
HEALTH AND SAFETY
IODINE 131
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
POTASSIUM 40
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOACTIVITY
RADIUM
THYROID
X RADIATION