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Absorbed dose is used for purposes of radiation protection and assessing dose or risk to humans in general terms. Absorbed dose is the amount of radiation absorbed in an organ or tissue (i.e., the amo [..]

An alpha particle is a particle with weight (it is made up of two protons and two neutrons) and charge (it is positively charged because protons have a positive charge). Alpha particles do not travel [..]

ALARA is a principle of radiation protection that calls for practical efforts to be taken to keep exposures to ionizing radiation as low as reasonably achievable, economic and social factors being tak [..]

Background radiation includes radiation from cosmic sources, naturally occurring radioactive materials (including radon), and global fallout (from the testing of nuclear explosive devices). The typica [..]

Becquerel (Bq) is the unit in the International System of Units to replace the curie (see curie).

A beta particle is an energetic electron given off by atoms when the atoms have too much energy. Beta particles do not travel very far, but travel farther than alpha particles. Beta particles are typi [..]

Contamination is the presence of radioactive material where it is not wanted—most commonly by depositing on surfaces or inside structures, objects, or people.

Cosmic radiation is penetrating ionizing radiation comprised of particles and electromagnetic energy that comes from outer space. Cosmic radiation accounts for about half of the natural background rad [..]

The curie (Ci) is the original term used to describe the amount of radioactive material present or strength of the source. It is based upon the radioactive decay rate of the radionuclide. One curie is [..]