Did you know that bananas are slightly radioactive? It’s true! The Banana Equivalent Dose (BED) is a measurement of radiation, but don’t worry, it’s definitely not enough to harm you. When we put things into perspective, the BED can help us understand the level of risk involved.
For example, getting a chest x-ray might be equivalent to eating 100 bananas. This comparison gives us a scale to work with and understand the risk of exposure. Similarly, driving a car is statistically more dangerous than flying on an airplane. The Honda Civic dose can help us gauge the risk of a potential car crash.
Interestingly, more people are injured in collisions with deer and moose than with sharks. Considering the Moose Equivalent Dose for exposure to wild animals can shed light on this comparison. And let’s not forget that the chances of experiencing significant long-term damage from trivial things like wearing the wrong color shoes or asking a silly question are lower than being injured by a pumpkin. The Pumpkin Equivalent Dose really puts things into perspective and reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously.