Low Energy Radiation from Our Home and Media Appliances

Radiation is energy (visible and invisible) emitted from specific sources.  High energy radiation (such as that emitted from radioactive material) is called “ionizing” radiation because of its ability to generate ions in its path.  Lower energy radiation that does not have this effect is called “non-ionizing” radiation, examples of which are microwaves and other electromagnetic radiation emitted from electrical devices.  We know much more about ionizing radiation than we do about non-ionizing radiation because the former was of greater concern to us and thus the most studied.  This illustrated talk focuses on non-ionizing radiation in our environment and comparative risks.

Barbara-Ann G. Lewis is Associate Professor Emeritus, Civil and Environmental Engineering, at Northwestern University, a former Environmental Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, and a faculty member of the University of the Commons in San Francisco.