Ionizing Radiation

Radiation is part of our lives. We use radioactive materials for beneficial purposes, like generating electricity, conducting security scans, inactivating biological and harmful microorganisms in food, and diagnosing and treating medical problems. For example, millions of people receive radiation in the form of X-rays every year. Although radiation offers many benefits, exposure to it can also threaten our health and the quality of our environment. We cannot eliminate radiation. But we can reduce the risks by controlling our exposure to it.