History of radiation protection

The history of radiation protection begins at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries with the realization that <a href="/facts/Ionizing_radiation/vw0d9GaT">ionizing radiation</a> from natural and artificial sources can have harmful effects on living organisms. As a result, the study of radiation damage also became a part of this history.
While <a href="/facts/Radioactive_materials/Ya6FVjt4">radioactive materials</a> and X-rays were once handled carelessly, increasing awareness of the dangers of <a href="/facts/Radiation/RwMocyeq">radiation</a> in the 20th century led to the implementation of various preventive measures worldwide, resulting in the establishment of radiation protection regulations. Although <a href="/facts/Radiology/FMXvDL3u">radiologists</a> were the first victims, they also played a crucial role in advancing radiological progress and their sacrifices will always be remembered. Radiation damage caused many people to suffer amputations or die of cancer. The use of radioactive substances in everyday life was once fashionable, but over time, the health effects became known. Investigations into the causes of these effects have led to increased awareness of protective measures. The dropping of <a href="/facts/Nuclear_weapon/QVdBcMdm">atomic bombs</a> during <a href="/facts/World_War_II/2efV5L1U">World War II</a> brought about a drastic change in attitudes towards radiation. The effects of natural <a href="/facts/Cosmic_ray/uxCVdTKd">cosmic radiation</a>, radioactive substances such as <a href="/facts/Radon/0V9arWKl">radon</a> and <a href="/facts/Radium/VWo5gkzn">radium</a> found in the environment, and the potential health hazards of non-ionizing radiation are well-recognized. Protective measures have been developed and implemented worldwide, monitoring devices have been created, and radiation protection laws and regulations have been enacted.
In the 21st century, regulations are becoming even stricter. The permissible limits for ionizing radiation intensity are consistently being revised downward. The concept of radiation protection now includes regulations for the handling of <a href="/facts/Non-ionizing_radiation/7QlATwaR">non-ionizing</a> radiation.
In the Federal Republic of Germany, radiation protection regulations are developed and issued by the <a href="/facts/Federal_Ministry_for_the_Environment%2c_Nature_Conservation%2c_Nuclear_Safety_and_Consumer_Protection/KEM4pheX">Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection</a> (BMUV). The <a href="/facts/Bundesamt_f%25C3%25BCr_Strahlenschutz/H4mKK2wr">Federal Office for Radiation Protection</a> is involved in the technical work. In <a href="/facts/Switzerland/LcGuxeTe">Switzerland</a>, the Radiation Protection Division of the <a href="/facts/Federal_Office_of_Public_Health/4nYRphsk">Federal Office of Public Health</a> is responsible, and in <a href="/facts/Austria/4qWIMIyc">Austria</a>, the <a href="/facts/Ministry_of_Climate_Action_and_Energy_(Austria)/5GKaL8YC">Ministry of Climate Action and Energy</a>.

History of radiation protection open-in-new

History of radiation protection