General Public Awareness of Sources of Radiation in Their Environment

Author Institution: Departments of Agricultural Engineering, School of Natural Resources, Engineering Graphics, and Mechanical Engineering, The Ohio State UniversityA telephone survey (poll) of randomly selected Ohio citizens was conducted to determine their awareness and knowledge of sources of radiation in their environment. During October 1992, 1,450 households were contacted resulting in 879 complete interviews. Nearly half of those Ohio citizens surveyed have heard something about disposal of low-level radioactive waste. Knowledge about radiation exposure and sources was found to be related to general education level. College graduates tend to be slightly more aware of sources and exposure than adults with less than a high school education. Radiation exposure from bricks used in buildings, flying in an airplane, and smoke detectors was identified by fewer than 20% of respondents overall