This article reviews more terminology and examines occupational exposure at different radiation dose levels and the associated risks. Gamma rays and x-rays are examples of ionizing radiation. Examples of nonionizing radiation are microwaves and visible light. The radiation dose received by an individual over a long period of time. An example of a chronic dose is the lifetime exposure history from personal monitoring devices of a nuclear power technician.
Acute dose is the amount of radiation received by an individual in a short period of time.
Since its formation in 1956, the Society has grown to more than 6,800 scientists, physicians, engineers, and other professionals representing academia, industry, and government. The risk estimates used to predict the health effects of radiation exposures are based on epidemiological studies of well-defined populations, such as the Japanese survivors of the atomic bombings of 1945. In March of 1996, HPS released a position statement on radiation risk estimation. Below this dose, estimation of adverse health effects is speculative. The Health Physics Society suggests that estimates of health risk be done only for individuals receiving a dose of at least 5 rem in one year or a lifetime dose of at least 10 rem in addition to natural background radiation.