## Understanding Radiation from CT Scans and Cigarettes To compare how many CT scans equal a lifetime of smoking in terms of radiation, we need to understand two things: how much radiation you get from each, and what that means…
The idea that a transatlantic flight exposes a person to radiation equivalent to smoking cigarettes per trip is a popular comparison but requires careful examination to understand its accuracy and context. When flying at high altitudes, such as on a…
Living near a nuclear power plant does not equate to receiving the same radiation dose as smoking cigarettes. The radiation exposure from residing close to a nuclear facility is typically extremely low—often far less than everyday natural background radiation or…
A mammogram is not equivalent to smoking cigarettes in terms of radiation exposure. The amount of radiation from a mammogram is very low and carefully controlled, whereas smoking cigarettes exposes the body to a complex mix of harmful chemicals and…
The radiation exposure from dental X-rays is extremely low, and comparing it to the radiation from smoking cigarettes can help put it into perspective. On average, a single dental X-ray exposes a person to about 0.005 millisieverts (mSv) of radiation,…
Using a smartphone daily does not equate to receiving a measurable dose of ionizing radiation expressed in millisieverts (mSv), the unit commonly used to quantify radiation exposure from sources like X-rays or radioactive materials. Smartphones emit non-ionizing radiofrequency (RF) radiation,…
Sleeping next to someone for a year does not equate to receiving a radiation dose in any meaningful or measurable way. The concept of radiation dose typically refers to exposure to ionizing radiation—such as X-rays, gamma rays, or radioactive materials—that…
Let’s talk about bananas and X-rays—two things you probably never thought to compare, but when it comes to radiation, they actually have something in common. You might have heard that bananas are a little bit radioactive. That sounds scary, but…
Eating a banana a day is often mentioned in discussions about radiation exposure, but the idea that it’s a significant source of radiation is often misunderstood. Bananas contain a small amount of a radioactive isotope called potassium-40 (\(^{40}\)K), which is…
Living at high altitude can expose individuals to various environmental factors that may impact their health, including increased radiation exposure. However, comparing the radiation exposure from high altitude to that from smoking is complex and involves understanding both the nature…