[Risks associated to ionizing radiation from natural sources].

This article presents an overview of current knowledge about natural sources of radiation exposure and potential associated health risks. Natural radioactivity constitutes the main source of exposure to ionizing radiation of the French and world population. Exposure is both external (telluric and cosmic rays) and internal (radon inhalation and ingestion of radionuclides from food and drinking water). It varies according to altitude, geology, and individual way of life (housing, food habits). Epidemiological studies demonstrated an excess risk of lung cancer associated to domestic radon exposure, ranking radon at the second place of known lung cancer risk factors after smoking. Data currently available do not allow concluding to risks associated to other natural sources of exposure to ionizing radiation.