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Protecting Yourself from Radiation

Radiation is part of our life. Background radiationHelpBackground radiationRadiation that is always in the environment. The majority of background radiation occurs naturally and a small fraction comes from man-made elements., coming primarily from natural minerals, is around us all the time. Fortunately, there are very few situations where an average person is exposed to uncontrolled sources of radiation above background. Nevertheless, it is wise to be prepared and know what to do if such a situation arises.

One of the best ways to be prepared is to understand the radiation protection principles of time, distance and shielding. During a radiological emergency (a large release of radioactive material into the environment), we can use these principles to help protect ourselves and our families.

Time, distance, and shielding actions minimize your exposure to radiation in much the same way as they would to protect you against overexposure to the sun:

EPA's use of time, distance and shielding in radiation protection

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What is RF Radiation?

The word radiation is often thought of as referring to the emanations from radioactive material and x-rays. However when scientists use the word radiation they are usually referring to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) which can be emitted from such sources as radio cell phones, TV  transmissions, light from the sun as well as x-ray machines.

Electromagnetic radiation has electric and magnetic field components and passes through space at the speed of light – about 300,000,000 metres per second (186,000 miles per second).

electromagnetic wave

electromagnetic wave

Microwave (MW) and radio frequency (RF) radiation is electromagnetic radiation that is lower in frequency and therefore longer in wavelength than infrared radiation. “Radiofrequency” is the name given to that section of the electromagnetic spectrum from frequencies of 300 kHz to 300 GHz. In general the section of the electromagnetic spectrum from frequencies of approximately 300 MHz to 300 GHz and wavelengths of approximately 1 meter (m) to 1 millimeter (mm) are called microwaves. Although some consider microwaves not to include lower frequencies and to start at 800 MHz with a wavelength of 37.5 centimeters (cm).

The term “microwaves” can be misleading. The wavelengths are not really “micro” in size because they range from 1 meter to the shortest which is 1 millimeter not 1 “micro” meter. (See also Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) and Electromagnetic Fields (EMF’s)

electromagnetic radiation spectrum

electromagnetic radiation spectrum

Sources of radio frequency and of microwaves are primarily:

  • Radio and television broadcast antenna
  • Communications equipment such as cellular & PCS, satellite, etc.
  • Cooking (microwave ovens)
  • Civilian, police and military radar
  • A variety of industrial inductive and dielectric heating devices
  • Medical devices such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and diathermy devices

RF Health Concern Classifications 

cellphone radiationThe primary health concern of microwave radiation is adverse effects associated with whole or partial body thermal exposure. A clear example of a thermal exposure situation is the heating of animal tissue (e.g. hamburger) in a microwave oven. The microwave electromagnetic radiation “cooks” the animal tissue. Avoiding damaging thermal exposure levels is accomplished by keeping one’s exposure below recommended maximum specific absorption rates (SAR). However since SAR is difficult to determine, safety standards have also adopted maximum allowable power density exposure limits measured in units of watts per square meter (W/m2).

New studies suggest hazards exists at Non-thermal levels of rf exposure. This should be a great concern for cell phone users who want to maximize their safety.