On average, people in the U.S.A. are exposed to about 3.6 milliSieverts of radiation each year.
Click on image for full size
Windows to the Universe original artwork using data from the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements.

Radiation

The text for this level hasn't been written yet. Please check the "Intermediate" or "Advanced" level of this page (click on the bar near the top of this page).

Last modified October 27, 2006 by Randy Russell.

You might also be interested in:

Cool It! Game

Check out our online store - minerals, fossils, books, activities, jewelry, and household items!...more

Can living cells repair damage from radiation?

Whether or not a cell can repair itself after being damaged by radiation depends on the type of damage to the cell's DNA. Type of Damage Prospects for DNA Repair Single strand break in the DNA Can usually...more

How can radiation damage a living cell?

High frequency radiation or fast moving particles plow into a living cell with enough energy to knock electrons free from molecules that make up the cell. These molecules with missing electrons are called...more

Radiation Can Damage Electronics

Radiation can damage electronic circuits. Radiation can also cause electronics to malfunction. Radiation can damage the materials used in electronics over time. That can make the electronics wear out sooner....more

Radiation is Dangerous to Living Creatures

Radiation can be harmful to living creatures. Radiation can harm living things directly by damaging their cells. The cells might stop functioning, or they might be unable to reproduce. Radiation can also...more

Radiation Dangers to Astronauts

Astronauts are exposed to many different types of dangerous radiation in space. Space agencies, like NASA, must carefully monitor the radiation exposure of astronauts to make sure they remain safe and...more

Radioactive Decay

Some materials are radioactive. They give off radiation. When an atom of a radioactive substance gives off radiation, it becomes a new type of atom. This change is called radioactive decay. There are two...more

Extreme Environments - Acid, Radiation, and More!

This page describes environments that are filled with acids, are blasted with radiation, are under high pressure, or are tough places for most living things in other ways. It is easy for living creatures...more

Windows to the Universe, a project of the National Earth Science Teachers Association, is sponsored in part is sponsored in part through grants from federal agencies (NASA and NOAA), and partnerships with affiliated organizations, including the American Geophysical Union, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Earth System Information Partnership, the American Meteorological Society, the National Center for Science Education, and TERC. The American Geophysical Union and the American Geosciences Institute are Windows to the Universe Founding Partners. NESTA welcomes new Institutional Affiliates in support of our ongoing programs, as well as collaborations on new projects. Contact NESTA for more information. NASA ESIP NCSE HHMI AGU AGI AMS NOAA