The Effects of Radiation

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The Effects of Radiation Radiation is the emission of electromagnetic energy that is given off in the form of high speed particles that cause ionization. During ionization radiation hits and knocks electrons from an atom creating charged ions. Due to the electron being stripped away from the atom this break the chemical bond. Living tissue within the human body is damaged and attempts to repair it but sometimes the damage is beyond repair. Radiation can either be ionizing or non-ionizing depending on how the radiation itself affects matter. Non-ionizing radiation includes visible light, heat, microwaves, and radio waves. This particular type of radiation deposits energy in the materials that it passes through but cannot break molecular bonds or remove electrons from atoms. Ionizing radiation on the other hand has enough energy to break molecular bonds and displace atoms. The displaced electron creates two charged particles known as ions which can cause changes in living cells. The amount of radiation and the duration of radiation exposure is what ultimately causes health issues/effects. There are two types of health effects pertaining to radiation known as stochastic and non-stochastic. Stochastic effects refer to radiation exposure given over long periods of time at low levels referred to as chronic. Non-stochastic is short-term exposure but at high levels which is referred to as acute. Stochastic effects are those that are associated with cancer. This particular type of exposure increases the likelihood of an individual developing a chronic illness such as cancer. Cancer is considered by most people the primary health effect from radiation exposure (EPA, 2012). Basically cancer is the uncontrolled grow... ... middle of paper ... ...me as primary barriers except for they are 1/32 inches thick lead and both are permanently affixed to the floor. The EPA sets limits on the amount of exposure people can receive. “Health physicists generally agree on limiting a person’s exposure beyond background radiation to about 100 mrem per year from all sources (natural or manmade).” For persons working as LXMO’s the annual MPD is 5 rems or 5000 mrems. The annual MPD dose for pregnant LXMO’s is 0.5 rems. The amount a technician receives is monitored monthly through the use of dosimeters. References EPA. (2012). Radiation Protection. Retrieved on May 15, 2014 from http://www.epa.gov/rpdweb00/understand/health_effects.html NCR. (2013). Radiation Basics. Retrieved on May 15, 2014 from http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/radiation/health-effects/radiation-basics.html

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