Exposure to the ionizing radiation in Poland in 2001

The population of Poland is at present subject to ionizing radiation from natural and artificial sources at levels not much different from those in other European countries. Natural sources of radiation such as cosmic rays, terrestrial radiation, radon gas in homes and other natural radionuclides entering human body with air, water and food contributed ca. 2.5 mSv to the total annual radiation dose of 3.36 mSv received in 2001 by average inhabitant of our country. The irradiation from artificial sources, such as X-ray machines, cyclotrons and radionuclides used in medical diagnostics and in industry and science, the fallout from nuclear explosions and from the Chernobyl accident, now contribute 0.87 mSv, or about 36% to the total radiation dose; most of the men-made dose is from medical irradiation which contributes 0.85 mSv, or ca. 25% to the total dose. The Chernobyl fallout is now responsible for only 0.012 mSv per year, or 0.4% of the total radiation dose received currently by the Polish population. (author)