Nationwide and regional assessment of individual radiation exposure footprint

The management of radiation exposure (RE) is critical for protecting human health, ensuring environmental safety, and optimizing industrial and medical applications. Inadequate RE management can lead to cancer risks, genetic effects, environmental contamination, and occupational hazards. RE arises from natural, medical, and occupational sources, and assessing these factors individually fails to provide a comprehensive understanding. This study systematizes RE management by estimating RE at national and regional levels, presenting it as Radiation Exposure Footprint (REF) to identify key influencing factors. RE factors were established, exposures calculated, and summed, then divided by regional populations to derive REF. Results showed regional REF ranged from 3.8 to 7.0 mSv/year, higher than the 2–4.5 mSv/year in other countries. Medical (58 %) and indoor (27 %) sources were the primary contributors, emphasizing the need for targeted reduction efforts. The study also highlights the need for updated methodologies to assess indoor radiation, as current approaches in other countries have evolved. This comprehensive approach provides valuable insights for optimizing radiation protection and exposure management.