Ecosystems and Human Health, 3rd Edition

Chapter 13

Radiation Hazards

Introduction

The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all forms of radiant energy. The following table (Table 13.1) lists the various components and their wavelengths in decreasing order.

Table 13.1

Components of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Type of Radiation	Wavelength
Radio waves	30 km–3 cm
Microwaves	3 cm–10 mm
Thermal (heat)	0.078–0.001 mm
Infrared (includes thermal portion)	0.5 mm–1,000 Å
Visible	7,800–4,000 Å
Ultraviolet	4,000–1,850 Å
Extreme ultraviolet	1,850–150 Å
Soft x-rays	1,000–5 Å
X-rays	5–0.06 Å
Gamma rays	1.4–0.01 Å
Cosmic rays (protons 85%, alpha-particles 12%, electrons, gamma rays, etc.	To 1/10,000 Å

Ionizing ...