Ionizing radiation. An overview for the occupational health nurse. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

1. Everyone is exposed to ionizing radiation. Approximately 82% of this exposure is natural background from cosmic and terrestrial sources, and 18% is due to man made sources. 2. Public exposure to ionizing radiation or contamination of the environment by radioactivity engenders intense fear. The emotional and psychologic stresses resulting from exposure should be recognized and addressed early in a radiation incident. 3. Health care providers should understand the physics, chemistry, and biology of radiation to communicate effectively about it.