Radiation is a fact of life. People on this earth are being continuously bombarded by radiations from different sources, i.e., cosmic radiation from space, radiation emitted from the natural radioactive elements present in soil/rocks, like uranium and thorium and internal exposure from inhalation of natural radioactive gases, like radon preset in the air which we breathe, and traces of radioactive elements present in food and water we consume. Totally, these contribute about 79 % of the annual average global human exposure to radiation. Out of remaining 21%, 20% is contributed from medical exposures from X-rays and scans and only 1% from all other man-made sources, including nuclear power ((World Health Organization, WHO).
In India, major part (over 98%) of the average annual human exposure is from natural sources, about 1.93% from medical exposures and only about 0.37% from man-made sources. The large difference in medical exposures in WHO and Indian values, is due to enhanced medical care provided in developed countries as compared to India.
This information should be made available to the public so that risk from man-made sources are seen in proper perspective, and members of the public readily accept the numerous benefits from the application of radiation and radioisotopes.
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