Radiation Terms

Radiation includes alpha rays, beta rays, gamma rays, X-rays, neutrons, high-speed electrons, high-speed protons, and other atomic particles. It does not include visible light, sound or radio waves, or infrared or ultraviolet light.

Background radiation is radiation that is always in the environment. Most background radiation occurs naturally, but a small fraction comes from human-made elements.

Radioactive decay is the emission of energy in the form of ionizing radiation. Radioactive decay occurs in unbalanced atoms called radionuclides.

Radioactive material refers to any material that emits, by spontaneous nuclear disintegration, corpuscular or electromagnetic emanations.

A restricted area is any area where access is controlled by the employer to protect individuals from exposure to radiation or radioactive materials.

An unrestricted area is any area where access is NOT controlled by the employer to protect individuals from exposure to radiation or radioactive materials.

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