Four main ways to protect from radiation

There are four main ways to protect the human body from harmful levels of radiation:

• Distance - physically keeping away from the source; 
• Time - limiting the amount of time spent near the source;
• Shielding - providing barriers, such as lead, concrete or water between the person and the source; and
• Containment - keeping radioactive materials in small, confined facilities with reduced air pressure to avoid leakage into the environment.