I've had thyroid nuking, dentist x-rays, spinal and head scans, even one for a vein that took about an hour. Not one warned of residual radiation.
Better check every place out for radiation, so that was a good thing there in the OP by security. A 'dirty bomb' comes to mind and is reportedly wanted by those who can't afford to create a thermonuclear device. But bombing a nuclear power plant or any source of radioactive material is also something low-tech that they would use. They don't care about half life or environmental or human costs from such destruction.
(It's the half life of nuclear waste that mattered to me and others resisting the building of nuclear power plants. Because when a substance is created that is dangerous for longer than most nation states have ever existed, even in the short terms, it would create a less democratic world. The necessary level of security would entail the enforcement of a police state. For a good reason, but in the end, it still would not be able to do enough. And the folly would last longer than our civilization. It is the reason for the WC and radiological treaties; they threaten future innocent generations and life sustaining ecosystems.)
There are radon detectors for homes to detect gases under the land of homes that harm families over the long term. Radiation is released from mining for uranium, nuke depots, plants, etc. They are said to have a short half life or not the kind of radiation that penetrates things well enough to be dangerous. It is troubling, although perhaps not to a scientist, who can rate dangers in radioactive material better.
Now a Canadian mining company is going to mine for uranium in the Grand Canyon that might pollute the underwater aquifers. As reported on DU. We would like to think that the best science is going to be observed by the companies involved to protect the environment. The record does not reflect that, it shows that they count on taking the money and running off when things go wrong.
There's always a natural dose of 'background radiation,' IIRC. Some have mentioned granite counter tops in homes are a source of radiation. And most igneous rocks and many plants contain some radiation naturally.
And thanks for posting this thought provoking OP.
= new reply since forum marked as read
