"Tobacco plants are grown in soils with high-phosphate fertilizers that are naturally contaminated with the alpha-particle emitting radionuclide polonium-210.In one year, the average smoker will irradiate the bronchial epithelium with 8 to 9 rem, the equivalent dose of radiation from 250 to 300 chest X-ray films per year"( Pediatrics, September 1993, p.464).How does this annual dose from tobacco compare to an average annual dose of 3.6 mSv that a nonsmoker receives from background radiation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The average smoker receives 8 to 9 rem per year from smoking, which is equivalent to 80 to 90 mSv. Comparing this to the 3.6 mSv from background radiation for a nonsmoker, the dose from smoking is about 25 times more.

"Tobacco Plants Are Grown in Soils with High-Phosphate Fertilizers That