Where Does Radiation Come From?

Explore the natural and man-made sources of radiation all around us.

Radiation is all around us, coming from both natural and artificial sources. It’s simply energy that travels through space, either as waves or as particles.

Natural sources include:

• Cosmic radiation from the sun and outer space.

• Terrestrial radiation from radioactive elements in the ground, like uranium and thorium.

• Internal radiation from small amounts of radioactive materials naturally present in our bodies, such as potassium-40.

Man-made sources include:

• Medical imaging and therapy, such as X-rays and radiation treatments.

• Industrial uses, like radiography and power generation in nuclear plants.

• Consumer products, such as smoke detectors that use small amounts of radioactive material.

In radiation therapy, we use carefully controlled artificial sources to deliver precise doses of radiation to target tissues. By understanding where radiation comes from, we can better appreciate how it’s harnessed safely and effectively for medical use.

From my linear accelerator to yours,
Sara