diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ef73bec..f513fbe 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ Recommended mods that build on the `technic mod`:
 * **technic.quarry.maxdepth** max depth of the quarry (default: 100)
 * **technic.switch_max_range** max cable length (default: 256)
 * **technic.switch.off_delay_seconds** switching station off delay (default: 300 seconds)
+* **technic.radiation.enable_throttling** enable lag- and per-second-trottling of radiation damage
 
 # Chat commands
 
diff --git a/technic/radiation.lua b/technic/radiation.lua
index 300465b..12a5dea 100644
--- a/technic/radiation.lua
+++ b/technic/radiation.lua
@@ -347,19 +347,24 @@ local function dmg_object(pos, object, strength)
 	end
 end
 
+local enable_radiation_throttling = minetest.settings:get_bool("technic.radiation.enable_throttling")
+
 -- max lag tracker
 local last_max_lag = 0
-local function trackMaxLag()
-	last_max_lag = technic.get_max_lag()
-	minetest.after(5, trackMaxLag)
-end
 
--- kick off lag tracking function
-trackMaxLag()
+if enable_radiation_throttling then
+	local function trackMaxLag()
+		last_max_lag = technic.get_max_lag()
+		minetest.after(5, trackMaxLag)
+	end
+
+	-- kick off lag tracking function
+	trackMaxLag()
+end
 
 local rad_dmg_mult_sqrt = math.sqrt(1 / rad_dmg_cutoff)
 local function dmg_abm(pos, node)
-	if last_max_lag > 1.5 then
+	if enable_radiation_throttling and last_max_lag > 1.5 then
 		-- too much lag, skip radiation check entirely
 		return
 	end
@@ -375,12 +380,16 @@ local function dmg_abm(pos, node)
 end
 
 if minetest.settings:get_bool("enable_damage") then
+	if enable_radiation_throttling then
+		dmg_abm = throttle(100, dmg_abm)
+	end
+
 	minetest.register_abm({
 		label = "Radiation damage",
 		nodenames = {"group:radioactive"},
 		interval = 1,
 		chance = 2,
-		action = throttle(100, dmg_abm),
+		action = dmg_abm,
 	})
 
 	if longterm_damage then