Radioactivity is a phenomenon that has existed in nature forever, without the need for human hands. Radiation of natural origin is responsible for most of the dose that humans receive, 87%. Artificial sources, such as X-rays, radiation therapies, radioactive marker scans, radioactive fallout from nuclear tests, nuclear power plants, smoke detectors, light sources, television and air travel, contribute 13%. Of this total, the vast majority is due to medical treatments, especially X-rays, 12%. Nuclear tests in the atmosphere and nuclear accidents, mainly that of Chernobyl, only contribute 0.4% of the total and the activity of nuclear power plants affects a factor 20 times less.
But the most curious thing is that between 10% and 15% of the maximum recommended dose for the population comes from what we eat. The tubers have a higher content of Radio-226 than aerial vegetables, a half-kilo steak gives us 45 disintegrations per second and a kilo of fruit between 40 and 90. And bad news for seafood lovers: it is the food that more radiation contributes, so that fans of mussels, oysters and others can receive 50% more than corresponding to food.
Even we are a radioactive source with legs. It is estimated that of every 10,000 people who die, 5 do so from cancer caused by radiation emitted by their own body. Taking a few beers with friends causes us to be exposed to an activity of between 8,500 and 10,000 disintegrations per second due to the radioactivity that their bodies emit; of course we are also irradiating them with the same amount. And sleeping with our partner for a year makes our body receive 1% of the maximum recommended dose.
Do you want to know what are the radioactive elements that you carry inside you? VERY has compiled them so that you know them:
Activity Element
3H-Tritium 35
Carbon 3,500
Potassium 4,500 to 5,500
Natural thorium 0.1
Natural uranium 2
Polonium 37
Radius 226 1.5
