Radiation Protection
Learn About Radiation Units
Different terms and units are used to measure radioactivity and estimate health effects.
Calculate Your Radiation Dose
Try our Radiation Dose Calculator
You can estimate your yearly dose from natural, technological, and medical sources of ionizing radiation.
Understand Radiation Health Effects
Low Dose = Low Risk
Health effects from radiation exposure depend of the type of radiation, how much of it was absorbed by the body, and how it was received.
Radiation Communication Tools
Pre-scripted messages for emergency response
Q&As and templates for users of the 2017 Protective Action Guide (PAG) Manual
EPA sets environmental standards and provides technical expertise to protect human health and the environment from the use of radioactive materials. EPA standards set protective limits on the radioactivity in soil, water and air that comes from human activities. The Agency supports other federal, state and local agencies by developing federal guidance and technical reports on radiation protection, and assists in response to radiological emergencies.
Emergency Response
EPA maintains teams to respond to emergencies involving radiation and other hazards.
Non-Environmental Radiation
EPA does not regulate or provide oversight for medical radiation, consumer products, or the non-ionizing radiation that is emitted by electrical devices such as cell phones. Other agencies and institutions provide information about these types of radiation:
RadTown
RadTown is the EPA’s radiation education website. Students can learn about the different types, sources, and uses of radioactive material. Teachers can download classroom materials and fact sheets about various radiation topics that are related to everyday life.