What is Radiation?

The One-Minute Overview

Radiation, as either waves or particles, can be emitted from a number of sources, for example visible light from a bulb, radiofrequency waves from power-lines, or gamma rays from radioactive material.

Radiation can be of two types, ionising and non-ionising.

Ionising radiation can lead to ionisation in matter, potentially breaking chemical bonds. Examples of ionising radiation include X-rays, neutrons, and gamma rays. The majority of ionising radiation to which we are exposed is naturally occurring, and originates in the earth�s crust or reaches us from outer-space. Exposure may also be due to medical practices (e.g. dental Xray), or discharges related to the nuclear industry.

Non-ionising radiation is radiation which does not produce ionisation in matter. Examples include ultra-violet (UV), infra-red and radiofrequency radiation.

Although the radiation to which we are exposure on a daily basis is understood to be relatively harmless, some forms of radiation are potentially harmful, depending on the amount we receive. For example, if we spend too much time in the sun we risk damage to our skin and eyes, and may increase the risk of skin cancer. Similarly, exposure to elevated amounts of ionising radiation can lead to an increase in the risk of developing cancer later in life.

Exposure in Lancashire to all forms of radiation is lower than the national average, mainly due to lower levels of radon.

Food produced in Lancashire shows very little contamination by artificial radionuclides. Fish and shellfish caught in the Irish Sea may contain elevated concentrations of radioactive material, and may lead to a slight increase in the annual dose due to ionising radiation, following consumption.

Radiological contamination by predominantly historical rather than current discharges may also lead to the increased exposure (above background) of people using the estuaries.

RADMIL will continue to monitor radiation levels in the environment, to identify any significant issues which present a risk to public health, and to ensure continued public protection. Our findings are published regularly, on this website, or within written reports.

Further Reading

Public Concern | Expose and Effects | Radioactivity in Perspective | Learning About Radiation

Why we should be concerned
Industrial and defence-related discharges of radiation into the environment can vary over time. Our measurements show .....

Where Radioactivity is used
Most of our exposure to radiation is from natural sources. the remainder comes from man's activites .....

Exposer and Effects
People are exposed to natural and man-made sources of radition each and every day. the NRPB estimates the average dose .....

Radioactivity in Perspective
Exposure in Lancashire to all forms of radiation is lower than the national average, mainly due to lower .....

Where to learn more
RADMIL's reports provide a detailed analysis of radiation as it affects Lancashire.....