Radiation and radon
The Danish Health Authority undertakes all regulatory functions and statutory duties related to radiation protection – wherever ionising radiation exists, used or produced.
Every day, many people in Denmark work with radiation. In healthcare services, people are exposed to ionising radiation from, e.g. x-ray machines, scanners, and radiopharmaceuticals. In several other sectors, ionising radiation is also used to solve tasks. With the advent of wireless technology, there is an increase in non-ionising radiation from mobile phones and wireless networks. Therefore, everyone in Denmark is likely to come into contact with radiation of one kind or another.
Ionising radiation
The Danish Health Authority undertakes all regulatory functions and statutory duties related to radiation protection. Our main task is to ensure that employees, patients, the general population, and animals and the environment are protected against damage from ionising radiation wherever it occurs, is used or generated.
Non-ionising radiation
The Danish Health Authority answers questions from the Danish Ministry of Health and other public authorities about the non-medical use of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and tanning beds.
General information
1. Ionising radiation
Radiation is the transfer of energy and can be generated naturally or artificially. Learn more in
Ionising Radiation – Exposure Pathways in Denmark
2. Radon in the Nordic countries
Radon levels in dwellings in the Nordic countries, except for Iceland, are high, in Finland, Norway and Sweden among the highest in the world. There is strong direct evidence that long-term exposure to radon increases the risk of lung cancer, which makes it particularly important to identify dwellings with high radon concentrations and take remedial measures in these dwellings.
Recommendations for radon in dwellings in the Nordic countries
Thule Air Base
1. Radioactivity following the accident
In January 1968, an American B-52 bomber crashed into the sea ice in the vicinity of Thule Air Base in Greenland. As a result of the accident, radioactive material from the damaged nuclear weapons was dispersed in smoke from the burning engine fuel.
Learn more in:
Investigation into terrestrial radioactive contamination at Thule and assessment of radiation doses
(Greenlandic version is also available)The Thule Accident - Assessment of Radiation Doses from Terrestrial Radioactive Contamination
(Greenlandic version is also available)