Environmental problems Radiation

Health impacts of radiation

A person will be continually exposed to a low level of radiation throughout their life - this is perfectly normal and does not cause any health effects. Exposure to large amounts of radiation however, can cause adverse health effects, but this is dependant on the level of dose and the duration of exposure.

Most people receive their greatest exposure to radiation from natural sources, mainly from radon - a radioactive gas that occurs naturally from uranium found in rocks and soils. Manchester is not considered as an area at risk from radon gas, and studies were carried out in a number of local schools in 2010 to confirm this.

Further information about the sources and health effects of radiation is available from the UK Health Security Agency (formerly Public Health England).

 

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