Energy Guide

EMF & RF Safety Levels - A Comparative Guide ScanTech
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body containing blood-forming organs.
However there is no scientific evidence of risk at doses below about 50 millisieverts in a short time or about 100 mil-
lisieverts per year. At lower doses and dose rates, up to at least 10 millisieverts per year, the evidence suggests that
beneficial effects are as likely as adverse ones.
High radiation areas are those where a person could receive more than 100 millirem in an hour.
At a nuclear plant, areas containing radioactive materials may be classified according to radiation level, contamination
level, and airborne radioactivity level. Unrestricted areas are those where a person could expect to receive less than 500
millirem in a year.
Background radiation levels are typically around 300 millirem per year. In some areas of the world, background levels
can reach as high as 15,000 millirem
Naturally occurring background radiation is the main source of exposure for most people. Levels typically range from
about 1.5 to 3.5 millisievert per year but can be more than 50 mSv/yr. The highest known level of background radiation
affecting a substantial population is in Kerala and Madras States in India where some 140,000 people receive doses
which average over 15 millisievert per year from gamma radiation in addition to a similar dose from radon. Comparable
levels occur in Brazil and Sudan, with average exposures up to about 40 mSv/yr to many people.
Several places are known in Iran, India and Europe where natural background radiation gives an annual dose of more
than 50 mSv and up to 260 mSv (at Ramsar in Iran). Lifetime doses from natural radiation range up to several thousand
millisievert. However, there is no evidence of increased cancers or other health problems arising from these high natural
levels.
1 adult human (100 Bq/kg) 7000 Bq
1 kg of coffee 1000 Bq
1 kg superphosphate fertiliser 5000 Bq
The air in a 100 sq metre Australian home (radon) 3000 Bq
The air in many 100 sq metre European homes (radon) 30 000 Bq
1 household smoke detector (with americium) 30 000 Bq
Radioisotope for medical diagnosis 70 million Bq
Radioisotope source for medical therapy 100 000 000 million Bq
1 kg 50-year old vitrified high-level nuclear waste 10 000 000 million Bq
1 luminous Exit sign (1970s) 1 000 000 million Bq
1 kg uranium 25 million Bq
1 kg uranium ore (Canadian, 15%) 25 million Bq
1 kg uranium ore (Australian, 0.3%) 500 000 Bq
1 kg low level radioactive waste 1 million Bq
1 kg of coal ash 2000 Bq
1 kg of granite 1000 Bq