The Dangers Of Exposure To Ionizing Radiation

Exposure to ionizing radiation can happen internally or externally. Internal exposure may result by “inhalation, ingestion or through the bloodstream”. External exposure can transpire by breathing in “airborne radioactive Material”. Other external sources to ionizing radiation are cause by medical radiation through the imaging department. This medical procedures include x-rays for diagnosing and treatment, and even research. Gamma rays are also use by medical doctors to create radioactive tracers, that allows them explore a patient’s body without having to perform surgery. Gamma rays are also use to treat different types of cancers and tumors. Although, gamma rays have the capability to target and eradicate cancer cells they can also damage …show more content…
The released energy is cause by the disintegration of an atom, which travels in the form of a wave. There are different types of radiation, such as gamma, x-rays, neutron, beta and alpha. Alpha radiation is big but cannot travel far and can be easily stop; so it is unable to penetrate the skin; but if is ingested it could cause serious internal damage. Beta is much smaller and can travel about ten feet in the air and can be dangerous for the skin and eyes, but it can be shielded by aluminum or extra layers of clothing. Neutrons can penetrate the body and travel several feet in the air, so they are consider a whole body …show more content…
Some studies suggest that victims who have been expose to high levels of exposure such as the japan survivors of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, or the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs survivors have a higher risk of certain cancer such as Thyroid, Bladder, Breast, Lung, leukemia, Stomach, liver among others. “Exposure to high amounts of gamma radiation can result in the rapid development of extreme symptoms, followed by death, whereas steady exposure to lower amounts of ionizing radiation can delay symptoms for months.”
One thing to remember is that although form medical purposes the use of Ionizing radiation is beneficial; Gamma rays are still dangerous even when they are handle with caution, due to the high intensity of the gamma rays which has the capability of passing through normal protections, such clothing, foil, goggles, and skin. Only high-mass shielding, such as lead, can stop them to an extent. So it is safe to say that even small dose of Gamma or x-rays radiation can increase the risk of developing cancer and most scientist agree that there is really not a safe level in which radiation is a hundred percent