Radiation presents hazards [local], as described in this series of 11 pages. While there have been numerous incidents of radiation-caused health problems, including deaths, the problems identified subsequent to the explosions of atomic weapons during the Second World War brought home the seriousness of these hazards.The effects of radiation [local] depend upon dose.

There is a relationship between the amount of radiation received and the biological effects. If radiation is sufficiently intense, exposure can cause death in minutes. The same radiation, spread out over a lifetime, may have little effect. Generally speaking, the relationship between dose and response [local] is found to follow a sigmoidal curve. [local] There often is a threshold, a minimal amount at which response is first observed.

There is great concern about the total amount of exposure humans should experience. A Web site dealing with exposures [local] provides useful information.