Smoking does produce a form of radiation, but whether this radiation is measurable with dosimeters depends on the type of radiation and the sensitivity of the device. Tobacco smoke contains small amounts of radioactive materials, primarily polonium-210 and lead-210, which are naturally occurring radioactive isotopes found in the environment and accumulate in tobacco leaves. When tobacco is burned, these radioactive particles can be inhaled into the lungs, exposing smokers to low levels of alpha radiation.
Dosimeters are devices designed to measure ionizing radiation exposure, typically from sources like X-rays, gamma rays, beta particles, and neutrons. They work by detecting and quantifying the radiation dose absorbed over time. Common personal dosimeters include thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs), optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeters, film badges, and electronic personal dosimeters. These devices are calibrated to detect radiation levels relevant to occupational or environmental exposure, often in units such as Sieverts or rems.
The radiation from smoking is primarily alpha particles emitted by polonium-210. Alpha particles have very low penetration power and can be stopped by a sheet of paper or the outer dead layer of human skin. Dosimeters worn externally on the body are generally not sensitive to alpha radiation unless the radioactive material is deposited directly on or inside the dosimeter. Since the alpha radiation from smoking occurs inside the lungs, external dosimeters typically do not register this exposure.
Moreover, the radiation dose from smoking is very low compared to medical imaging or occupational radiation exposure. For example, a single chest X-ray delivers a dose on the order of 0.1 milligray, while the effective dose from smoking-related radiation is much smaller and distributed internally. Dosimeters are designed to measure cumulative external radiation doses over time, so the internal alpha radiation from smoking is not effectively captured by these devices.
In theory, if a dosimeter were placed inside the respiratory tract or lungs, it might detect alpha radiation from smoking, but such internal dosimetry is not practical or commonly done. Instead, the radiation dose from smoking is estimated through indirect methods, such as measuring the concentration of polonium-210 in tobacco and calculating the dose delivered to lung tissue based on smoking habits.
In summary, while smoking does expose the body to measurable radioactive substances, **standard personal dosimeters worn externally do not effectively measure the radiation dose from smoking** because the radiation is primarily alpha particles emitted internally in the lungs, which external dosimeters cannot detect. The radiation dose from smoking is real but low and is assessed through indirect scientific measurements rather than direct dosimeter readings.
