ARPANSA - Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency

Radiation and Health Information

These fact sheets provide information on issues relating to radiation and health, the result of extensive research on the subject.

Ionising Radiation

There are two types of ionising radiation. One consists of particles (alpha, beta, neutrons) and the other consists of electromagnetic (x-rays, gamma rays) radiation.

• Airport Passenger Screening Technologies
• Aprons For Protection Against X-rays
• Cosmic Radiation Exposure when Flying
• Ionising Radiation and Health
• National Diagnostic Reference Levels
• Radon in Homes
• Radon Map of Australia
• Radioactive Waste Management in Australia
• Radioactivity in Domestic Smoke Alarms
• Thoriated Welding Rods

• Medical Calibrations
  • Interim Changes to the Australian Low-Energy X-Ray Standard
  • Specifying the polarity of the polarising voltage of an ionisation chamber

Non-Ionising Radiation

Non-ionising radiation consists of electromagnetic radiation ranging from the extremely low frequency (ELF) to the ultraviolet (UV). See Chart of the Electromagnetic Spectrum (PDF 157kb)

• 50Hz Magnetic Fields from Electricity
  • Electricity and Health
  • Measuring Magnetic Fields
• Radiofrequency Radiation
  • EME Series Fact Sheets
  • Mobile Telephones and Health Effects
  • Mobile Telephones - Scientific Background
  • Mobile Telephone Communication Antennas and Health Effects
  • Radiation Emissions from Microwave Ovens
  • Smart Meters or Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
  • The ARPANSA Radiofrequency Radiation Exposure Standard
• Ultraviolet Radiation
  • Fitzpatrick Skin Type Chart (PDF 166kb)
  • Solar UVR: Protection by Clothing: UPF Rating Scheme
  • Solar UVR and the UV Index
  • Sunglasses and Protection from Solar Ultraviolet Radiation
  • Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) Emissions from Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)
• Lasers and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Sources Used for Cosmetic Purposes

Top of Page