Table 5: Variations in Terrestrial and Cosmic Radiation and their Risks
| Annual Dose (1) (mSv/yr) | Annual Risk (2) deaths per million people | Lifetime Risk (3) deaths per million people | ||
| Terrestrial Radiation | US Average | 0.28 | 23 | 1600 |
| Atlantic Coast Average | 0.23 | 19 | 1300 | |
| Colorado Plateau | 0.90 | 71 | 5000 | |
| Rest of Colorado | 0.46 | 37 | 2600 | |
| Cosmic Radiation | US Average | 0.27 | 21 | 1500 |
| Denver (5200 ft.) |
0.50 | 40 | 2800 |
- US Average of cosmic and terrestrial radiation is from Health Effects of Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation, BEIR V, National Research Council, Washington DC, 1990. p.18. Regional averages from “What is your annual radiation dose?” worksheet.
- Annual risk is lifetime risk divided by a 70 year lifespan.
- Lifetime risk is calculated from an average of 560 deaths per 100,000 people with a continuous lifetime (70 year) exposure to 1 mSv/year. Table 4-2 in Health Effects of Exposure to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation, BEIR V, National Research Council, Washington DC, 1990. p.172.
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