Natural radiation sources, including some lessons for nuclear waste management

The average effective dose at the global level is, according to UNSCEAR, estimated to be 2.4 mSv from naturally occurring sources. This average value can be divided as follows: 1.3 mSv associated with radon, 0.39 mSv from cosmic radiation, 0.46 mSv from terrestrial radiation, and 0.23 mSv from internal radiation, radon excluded. These values can vary quite significantly depending on the place of habitation. Despite this large variation, no sound epidemiological study has yet shown the health effects on the most exposed populations, apart from a few studies concerning radon, but in which the predominant role of tobacco is difficult to determine. To cite this article: H. Métivier, C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 1035–1048.