Experts: We Are Exposed To Radiation Every Day

During the past week, you’ve probably heard the word “radiation” a lot.

Following the nuclear reactor damage in Japan many people, even in our area, have been wondering how safe we are when it comes to radiation.

According to a leading nuclear scientist and a physicist from the Department of Environmental Quality, we are exposed to radiation every day and we need it to survive.

With rising concern around the world about air quality due to radiation from Japan spreading to the United States, senior physicist for the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality David Jones said that they are measuring the air quality in our area 24/7.

“Currently we are seeing background readings. We haven’t seen any elevated readings,” said Jones.

In fact, he said that our current air quality is better than a lot of places around the country.

However, not all radiation is bad, according to nuclear scientist Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar, who said that we are exposed to radiation every day.

Slideshow: How Much Radiation Do We Get?

“There are radioactive species in the air, antique fiesta wear. You know a lot of rocks and minerals are. Even Brazil nuts. You are radioactive because what are you made of atoms, and there is always going to be some part of atoms in anything that are radioactive,” said Dunzik-Gougar.

Dunzik-Gougar also said that radiation is used to sanitize medical equipment, and even sleeping in bed next to your spouse exposes you to radiation.

The anti-nuclear organization Snake River Alliance also released a statement to us tonight stating, “It is important to note that there is really no such thing as a safe exposure to ionizing radiation.”