Adaptation to Low-Dose-Rate Background Irradiation: Continuous Radiation Exposure Based on Geographic Location on Earth Relative to Other Sources/Hazards of Radiation

Levels of radiation exposure to humans vary across the planet. Higher elevation leads to increased radiation exposure levels from X-rays, protons, galactic cosmic irradiation, and combinations of these sources. Exposure levels also increase when humans are closer to the core of the Earth and exposed to radium and radon generation products. The differences in the level of exposure translate in some, but not all, cases to higher levels of radiation complications including increased risk of cancer.