Understanding radiation and its health effects - Free on-line course

TORONTO, Jan. 30, 2012 /CNW/ - After an eight week trial period, the independent Radiation Safety Institute of Canada announced today that it is making available to people everywhere a free on-line course on radiation and its health effects.

Called "Understanding Radiation," the 20 minute on-line course is available on the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada website at http://www.RadiationSafety.ca/resources/onlinecourse

"For many people, radiation is a mysterious and often fearful thing," says institute President, Dr Fergal Nolan. "The result is that exposure to radiation of any kind and from any source can be worrisome, sometimes rightly so, sometimes unnecessarily."

"Understanding Radiation" was developed by radiation scientists and educators, Claire Cohalan, MSc and Tara Hargreaves, MSc at the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada's National Education Centre in Toronto. "We have tried to explain the concepts carefully," says Claire Cohalan, "to help people understand what they should be concerned about and what they need not be concerned about."

Founded in 1980, the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada is an independent, not-for-profit organization and registered charity. According to officials of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada is unique: it is the only independent organization of its kind in any country.

The institute's National Laboratories are in Saskatoon, SK and its National Education Centre is in Toronto, ON. More information on education, training and scientific and technical services available from the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada can be found on the website www.RadiationSafety.ca.

Media contact:

George Polak, Manager, Marketing and Communications: 416 650 9090x28; [email protected]