When scientists measure radiation, they use different terms depending on whether they are discussing radiation coming from a radioactive source, the radiation dose absorbed by a person, or the risk that a person will suffer health effects (biological risk) from exposure to radiation. This fact sheet explains some of the terminology used to discuss radiation measurement.

Radioactive contamination and radiation exposure could occur if radioactive materials are released into the environment as the result of an accident, an event in nature, or an act of terrorism. Such a release could expose people and contaminate their surroundings and personal property.

In the event of a radiation emergency, such as a nuclear power plant accident or the explosion of a radioactive dirty bomb, you may need to leave your home or the immediate area (evacuate).

In the event of a radiation emergency, such as a nuclear power plant accident or the explosion of a dirty bomb, you may be asked to stay home and take shelter rather than try to evacuate. This action is called “sheltering in place.”

What Is Radiation? How Can Exposure Occur? What Happens When People Are Exposed to Radiation? What Types of Terrorist Events Might Involve Radiation? and more.

This fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives you some basic information about Radiation and Potassium Iodide (KI). It explains what you should think about before you or a family member takes KI.

If a radiation emergency occurs, people can take actions to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their pets. Emergency workers and local officials are trained to respond to disaster situations and will provide specific actions to help keep people safe.

It is critical for you to remember to practice basic hygiene during the emergency period. Always wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected. Warm water is best.

To prevent foodborne diseases, wash your hands with clean water and soap before and after you eat or prepare food and after you use the latrine or bathroom. If you do not have clean water, use waterless hand sanitizers until clean water is available for washing.

12 new documents on Radiation Health and Safety are now available in Japanese. Learn more about Radiation and Health at http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/.

Is it safe to drink milk? What are the levels that would start to affect my thyroid? How long will there be traces of iodine-131 from Japan in milk? and more.

What Is Radiation? How Can Exposure Occur? What Happens When People Are Exposed to Radiation? What Types of Terrorist Events Might Involve Radiation? What Preparations Can I Make for a Radiation Emergency? How Can I Protect Myself During a Radiation Emergency? Should I Take Potassium Iodide During a Radiation Emergency? and more.

What Is Radiation? How Can Exposure Occur? What Happens When People Are Exposed to Radiation? In the event of a radiation emergency, such as a nuclear power plant accident or the explosion of a dirty bomb, you may be asked to stay home and take shelter rather than try to evacuate. This action is called “sheltering in place.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has prepared this fact sheet to help people understand how public health officials would monitor people following a radiological incident, and how this monitoring could be used to protect people’s health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has prepared this fact sheet to help you understand the possible health effects to your fetus from exposure to radiation.

The JIC Never Sleeps - by Clarice Conley

As a result of the incident with the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan, highly sensitive radiation monitors operated by EPA and others are detecting very low levels of radioactive material in the air in the United States. These levels were expected and consistent with estimated releases from the damaged nuclear reactors and are far below levels of public health concern.

This fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives you some basic information about Radiation and Potassium Iodide (KI). It explains what you should think about before you or a family member takes KI.

Prussian blue can remove certain radioactive materials from people’s bodies, but must be taken under the guidance of a doctor.