Radiation is part of everyday life in Illinois.
At nuclear power stations, nuclear reactors produce steam to generate electricity. X-ray machines or radioactive materials are used to produce diagnostic pictures of patients for physicians, dentists and other medical practitioners. X-ray machines and radioactive materials are also used at public and private laboratories for a variety of industrial, engineering and commercial applications. Radioactive materials are even used in some household products, such as smoke detectors. While the citizens of Illinois receive many benefits from its use, radiation can also harm humans if uncontrolled or used improperly.