Key Points
• People are exposed to natural and human-made sources of radiation every day.
• More than 60 naturally occurring radioactive materials, such as radon gas, are found in soil, water and air. Terrestrial and
cosmic radiation on average represent about 80% of a person’s annual dose of background radiation.
• Human-made radiation sources include medical devices like X-ray machines, and nuclear power plants. Canadians receive
more than 100 times more radiation naturally through the food we eat than from Canada’s nuclear power plants.
• Scientists have developed many beneficial uses of radiation to help global challenges including food safety, disease diagnosis
and treatment, and safety testing.
• Exposure risk is determined by 3 factors—distance from the source, the amount of exposure, and the level of shielding.
• The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, an independent agency, regulates nuclear energy and materials to protect the
health and safety and security of Canadians and the environment.
