Which sources remain the major contributor of radiation exposure for the US population?

The major contributor of radiation exposure for the US population is from natural background sources. This includes radiation that is naturally present in the environment and comes from various elements, cosmic rays, and even radon gas found in soil and homes. These background radiation sources are constant and generally account for a substantial portion of radiation exposure that individuals receive throughout their lives.

While artificial sources, medical procedures, and nuclear power plants contribute to radiation exposure, they do not surpass the amounts received from natural background sources. For example, medical procedures, while significant, account for a smaller percentage of total exposure compared to the constant presence of natural radiation in our surroundings. Understanding this helps emphasize the importance of differentiating between various sources of radiation exposure and their relative impacts on public health.