Radiation is energy coming from certain atoms in the
form of invisible particles or rays.
Our
exposure to radiation comes from both natural and man-made
sources. Whether natural or man-made, radiation’s effect upon
living tissue is identical. In the human body, energy from
radiation — also called “ionizing radiation” — may damage or kill
cells. The higher the radiation dose the greater the
risk.
Radiation exposure is measured in units called millirems —
one thousandth of a rem. Every year each of us in the United
States receives about 360 millirems of ionizing radiation from
natural and man-made sources. The amount varies depending on how
and where we live.
Natural sources of radiation account for about 295 of
those 360 millirems, or about 82 percent of the total. They
include doses from naturally-occurring radioactive radon gas in
our environment, radioactive elements in our bodies and the soil,
and cosmic radiation from space.
Man-made sources of radiation account for the remaining 65
millirems, about 18 percent of our yearly exposure. They include
doses from medical and dental x-rays, nuclear medicine, consumer
products, occupational exposure, weapons testing fall-out, and
nuclear power plants. Of our total exposure each year, less than
0.1 percent, one-third of one millirem, comes from the country’s
nuclear power plants.
When
the radiation exposure is controlled and kept to a minimum, such
as with medical or dental x-rays, nuclear medicine or monitored
occupational exposure, the benefits well outweigh any
risks.
If
an accident were to occur at a nuclear plant, exposure to
radiation is possible if the accident were severe enough. A
nuclear explosion cannot happen in a nuclear generating plant, but
radiation exposure resulting from a breach of the various
boundaries that separate us from the radioactive material in the
plant is possible. If this did happen, protection of the public in
the areas surrounding the plant might require evacuation of homes,
schools and businesses. If you were to be in an affected zone,
your county officials would recommend what action to take and
communicate this information to you via the Emergency Alert
System.
The
decision by your county officials to recommend evacuation would be
based upon the projected amount of radioactive material released
and/or the duration of the release. Officials at the Comanche Peak
power plant and the Texas Department of Health would recommend to
county officials what protective actions they consider best to
protect the health and safety of the public.
If
you are interested in learning more about radiation and nuclear
power, you’re invited to visit the Comanche Peak Visitors Center
at the power plant, located on Farm Road 56 five miles north of
Glen Rose. Open Monday through Saturday 9am to 4pm, the visitors
center has displays and exhibits that explain how nuclear energy
generates electricity.
For
information call 254/897-5554 or log on to http://www.comanchepeak.com/
Locke Media