What is radiation?

When we hear the word “radiation,” we often associate it with nuclear materials or waste: a gooey, glowy, bright-green, toxic nuclear liquid that emits radiation. This image is popular in TV and movies because it’s catchy and evokes a sense of danger. However, let me tell you something—radiation is EVERYWHERE. Are you spooked? Don’t be! I am here to explain what radiation is and how we use it in our everyday lives.

Radiation is basically any type of energy emitted by atoms, and this can come in different forms and scales. Let’s consider that energy can be measured in waves, much like ocean waves. Sometimes ocean waves carry a lot of energy, as in tropical storms. But at other times, waves are gentle and calm, like on a hot summer day at the beach. The same principle applies to radiation. Scientists can measure radiation as waves or particles, with some waves having low energy and others having high energy (this is known as the electromagnetic spectrum, in more technical terms).

Through science and technology, we have learned how to harness radiation to our advantage. Low-energy radiation is the most common type of radiation we encounter daily. Yes, we can actually see some types of radiation. The colors we perceive are forms of radiation that our eyes can detect. Other common types of radiation include heat, radio waves, and microwaves, which we frequently use to warm our food and keep ourselves entertained and warm.

In contrast, high-energy radiation, unlike low-energy radiation, is more controlled because its high energy can be harmful if used irresponsibly. Examples include x-rays, gamma-rays, and other forms of nuclear radiation. Due to their high energy, scientists and engineers have found ways to utilize this type of radiation for our benefit. For instance, gamma rays can be used in certain cancer treatments, x-rays are invaluable when doctors need to examine our bones, and nuclear radiation in power plants can generate environmentally friendly electricity.

So, if radiation has so many positive applications in our lives, why and how did it get a bad reputation? As with anything in our lives, control is the key to safety. Uncontrolled exposure to radiation, whether it's low or high energy, can be harmful to us and our environment. People often fear high-energy radiation because of the earlier mentioned bad reputation. However, low-energy radiation can also be harmful. For example, if we watch TV for extended periods at a short distance, our eyes can suffer damage in just a couple of years. Instead of fearing radiation, we can understand how to better protect ourselves from potential harmful effects. For instance, to shield ourselves from the sun's radiation, we use sunscreen. In other cases, the radiation energy is so low that our bodies are unaffected. For example, radio waves used in our car radios and cellphones pass through our bodies without any adverse effects.

In summary, radiation can be found everywhere in our lives and can be categorized as low or high-energy radiation. Science and technology have enabled us to comprehend the different types of radiation and how to leverage their properties to improve our lives. We can also learn how to shield ourselves from specific types of radiation and recognize those that pose no harm to us.

By Dr. Jose Veleta