The technologically enhanced natural radiation environment

A new category for human radiation exposure, technologically enhanced natural radiation (TENR), is proposed. The purpose of the new category is to permit clear distinction between truly natural human radiation exposure and exposure which occurs due to alteration of the natural sources by non-nuclear technology. Examples of TENR, such as radium emission from coal fired plants, radon in natural gas, radium in fertilizer, radon in water and enhanced cosmic ray exposure in high altitude aircraft are discussed. It is concluded that creation of the TENR category would be useful because (1) it would facilitate direct comparison of increments to the radiation environment due to nuclear and conventional activities, (2) it would direct research to TENR which would perhaps uncover significant human exposure and (3) it would permit regulatory authorities to control unambiguously TENR exposures without having to decide in each instance whether the exposure was natural or man-made.