Radiation refers to the wide range of energy types that form the electromagnetic spectrum. High energy radiation is ionising (splits charged particles from atoms to produce ions) and lower energy radiation is non-ionising.
Click here to access pdf of the Government of Ireland National Plan for Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Exposures on the EPA publications webpage
Ionising Radiation
Ionizing radiation has always been a part of the human environment. Along with natural radioactive sources present in the Earth’s crust and cosmic radiation, man-made sources also contribute to our continuous exposure to ionizing radiation. (World Health Organization)
People are exposed to ionising radiation from multiple sources, and the following are the most common sources in Ireland are:
- Radon (natural)- the largest proportion of exposure for Irish population
- Medical radiation (human-made)
- Cosmic radiation from space (natural)
- Gamma radiation from the ground (natural)
- Radioactivity in food (natural)
For more information see the EPA website – health effects of Ionising Radiation.
Non-ionising Radiation
Non-ionising radiation includes electric and magnetic fields, radio waves, microwaves, infrared, near ultraviolet, and visible radiation.
Effects include:
- ultraviolet may be carcinogenic
- near ultraviolet and visible light – may cause photo-chemical or burn damage to eyes, skin
- infrared – may cause burn damage to eyes, skin
- microwave and radiofrequency – may cause heating effects on tissues
- lower frequencies – may cause charge accumulation on body surface
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