Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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February 12, 2026 Climate and environment
Natural background radiation remains the main source of human exposure worldwide, according to a new scientific report by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), published Thursday.
According to the document, natural sources of ionizing radiation—including radon and thoron, cosmic rays, and naturally occurring radioactive substances in soil and food—provide the overwhelming majority of the radiation dose received by the population. The contribution of anthropogenic sources is generally significantly lower, with the exception of rare cases of major nuclear or radiation accidents.
Global Research
The findings are presented in a new UNSCEAR scientific supplement, "Assessment of Public Exposure to Ionizing Radiation." This is the most comprehensive global analysis to date of public exposure to ionizing radiation from both natural and man-made sources. The report is based on data from the Global Public Exposure Study and an analysis of the scientific literature for the period 2007 to 2022.
According to the Committee's estimates, the average global annual effective dose from natural sources is approximately 3.0 millisieverts (mSv). The largest contribution comes from the inhalation of radon, thoron, and their decay products—approximately 1.8 mSv per year. This is followed by the intake of natural radionuclides with food and water (0.5 mSv), external exposure to radionuclides in the Earth's crust (0.4 mSv), and cosmic radiation (0.3 mSv).
The new figure is higher than the previously published global average of 2.4 mSv, published in 2008. However, UNSCEAR emphasizes that the increase is due to improved data availability and methodology, rather than an actual increase in environmental radiation levels.
“The new assessment provides a clearer and more globally representative picture of the radiation doses people receive in their daily lives,” said UNSCEAR Chairperson Dr. Sarah Baatout. “With better data and advances in science, we can more accurately assess population exposure and support national and international efforts to protect public health.”
Contribution of anthropogenic sources
The report notes that the contribution of man-made sources – including medical, industrial, scientific and domestic uses of radiation technologies – under normal operating conditions typically amounts to only a few microsieverts per year.
Radiation doses to residents living near nuclear power plants also remain very low, typically no more than a few dozen microsieverts per year. The collective effective dose per unit of generated electricity is estimated at 0.4 person-sieverts per gigawatt-year.
Nuclear tests
Radiation exposure in former nuclear test sites has significantly decreased. While radiation levels were high immediately after the tests, today's annual doses at test sites in New Mexico, the Marshall Islands, Mururoa and Fangataufa, and Semipalatinsk are generally significantly lower than natural background levels.
Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents
Population exposure levels related to the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear power plant accidents continue to decline due to radioactive decay, natural processes, and decontamination measures. Currently, annual doses in areas around Chernobyl range from tens of microsieverts to several millisieverts, and in non-evacuated municipalities near Fukushima, from several microsieverts to approximately 0.3 mSv.
The UNSCEAR report aims to provide governments and international organizations with updated scientific evidence for policy development in the field of radiation protection and public health.
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