F. Typical Sources of Radiation Exposure
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The average amount of background radiation that a person living
in the United States is estimated to receive is 310 mrems (3.1 mSv) per year. Other sources of radiation include medical x-ray exams, nuclear medicine studies, airplane travel, and tobacco smoke. At doses of radiation that are received due to background,
or which are within Federal and internationally recognized standards
for exposure to humans, NO biological effects would be expected.
References for the dose estimates are available from the Radiation
Safety Training Office by calling 301-496-2255.
| Natural Radiation |
| Cosmic radiation from outer space |
27 mrem (.27 mSv) per year (Whole Body Dose) |
| Terrestrial radiation |
28 mrem (.28 mSv) per year (Whole Body Dose) |
| Natural radionuclides in the body |
35 mrem (.35 mSv) per year (Whole Body Dose) |
| Radon gas |
200 mrem (2.0 mSv) per year (Lung Dose) |
| Diagnostic Medical Procedures |
| Chest X-Ray |
8 mrem (.08 mSv) (Whole Body Dose) |
Dental X-Rays (Panoramic)
(2 Bite-Wings) |
30 mrem (.30 mSv) (Skin Dose)
80 mrem (.80 mSv) (Skin Dose) |
| Mammogram |
138 mrem (1.38 mSv) per image |
| Barium Enema (X-Ray portion only) |
406 mrem (4.06 mSv) (Bone Marrow Dose) |
| Upper Gastrointestinal Tract |
244 mrem (2.44 mSv) (X-ray portion only) (Bone Marrow Dose) |
| Thallium Heart Scan |
500 mrem (5.0 mSv) (Whole Body Dose) |
| Consumer Products |
| Building Materials |
3.5 mrem (0.035 mSv) per year (Whole Body Dose) |
| Luminous Watches (H-3 and Pm-147) |
0.04-0.1 mrem (0.0004 - 0.001 mSv) per year (Whole Body Dose) |
| Tobacco Products (To smokers @ 30 cigarettes per day) |
16000 mrem (160 mSv) per year (Bronchial Epithelial Dose) |