Risks Associated with Radiation Exposure

Figure 3. Estimated Cancer Risks to a population of 10,000.

The primary risk from occupational radiation exposure is an increased risk of cancer. The amount of risk depends on the amount of radiation dose received, the time over which the dose is received, and the body parts exposed. Although scientists assume low-level radiation exposure increases one's risk of cancer, medical studies have not demonstrated adverse health effects in individuals exposed to small chronic radiation doses (i.e., up to 10,000 mrem above background). ³

The increased risk of cancer from occupational radiation exposure is small when compared to the normal cancer rate in today's society. The current lifetime risk of dying from all types of cancer in the United States is approximately 20 percent (see Fig. 3). ⁴

If a person received a radiation dose of 10 rem to the entire body (above background), his or her risk of dying from cancer would increase by one percent-to 21 percent. ⁵