INL Oversight Program:

Dose Calculator - What's Your Radiation Dose?

In the United States, the average person receives 360 millirem (mrem) of radiation dose per year. Here's how to determine your annual radiation dose:

Cosmic radiation from outer space

We start with 26 mrem for living at sea level anywhere on Earth. Then we add the following to your beginning dose depending on how far above sea level you live. Choose one from the general elevation list OR the Idaho elevation list.

In general, do you know your elevation? To calculate your cosmic radiation dose, you need to know approximately how far above sea level you live. The following is your cosmic radiation dose if you live above sea level by:	In Idaho, do you know your elevation? Idaho's highest point, Borah Peak, is 12,662 ft. above sea level; its lowest point, along the Snake River near Lewiston, is 710 ft. above sea level; the average elevation is 4,000 ft. above sea level.
Up to 1,000 ft....2 mrem 1000 to 2000 ft - 5 mrem 2,000 to 3,000 ft....9 mrem 3,000 to 4,000 ft....15 mrem 4,000 to 5,000 ft....21 mrem 5,000 to 6,000 ft....29 mrem 6,000 to 7,000 ft....40 mrem 7,000 to 8,000 ft....53 mrem Above 8,000 ft....70 mrem	Sandpoint: 2,126 Coeur d'Alene: 2,187 Lewiston: 738 Nampa: 2,492 Boise: 2,842 Mountain Home: 3,164 Twin Falls: 3,746 Idaho Falls: 4,742 Rexburg: 4,861 Blackfoot: 4,497

Radiation from the environment

Internal radiation

Here we automatically add 40 mrem for food and 200 mrem for the air you breathe. This includes radon gas. Select from the following, if appropriate, then click on the subtotal button to see your current running total with the addition of internal radiation values.

Do you have porcelain crowns or false teeth? (0.07 mrem)? Yes No

Travel related radiation

To calculate your travel related radiation, you can select either a quick "flier profile" to estimate your hours in the air, OR calculate your own mileage. Select your answers then click the subtotal button.

Frequent Flier - 23,000 miles (5 cross-country, 10 interstate, and 10 in-state flights);
Occasional Flier - 4,900 miles (1 cross-country, 2 interstate, and 3 instate flights);
Infrequent Flier - 1,300 miles (2 interstate flights, 1 instate flight);
or
I'll calculate my own:
Add 1 mrem for each 1000 miles of jet travel per year:

Do you use a pre-1990 gas lantern with original mantles when camping (0.003 mrem)? Yes No

We'll add 0.002 mrem for x-ray luggage inspection machines at the airport.

Miscellaneous

You'll start this set with 1 mrem for fallout from weapons testing. Select all appropriate answers, then click the subtotal button.
	Do you:
	Yes No	live in a stone, brick, or concrete building (7 mrem)?
	Yes No	wear a luminous watch (0.06 mrem)?
	Yes No	watch television (1 mrem)?
	Yes No	use a computer monitor (0.1 mrem)?
	Yes No	have a smoke detector (0.008 mrem)?
	Yes No	live within 50 miles of a nuclear power plant (0.009 mrem)?
	Yes No	live within 50 miles of a coal-fired power plant(0.03 mrem)?
	Yes No	smoke cigarettes (1300 mrem)? See Doses from Specific Sources
	This year, how many: medical X-rays have you had? (40 mrem/each) nuclear medical procedures have you had? (14 mrem/each)

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