Health Hazards

Health Hazards

Long-term, low-level (chronic) exposure to radiation may produce stochastic health effects. Radiations can damage DNA and cause mutations.

Health effects caused by exposure to radiation may be classified into two: Stochastic and non-stochastic.

Stochastic Health Effects

Long-term, low-level (chronic) exposure to radiation may produce stochastic health effects. Stochastic health effects occur by chance and occur years after exposure. Increased levels of exposure do not influence the type or severity of the effect.

Cancer

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells. Cell division is a fundamental process that takes place in the human body. A multitude of mechanisms exist to ensure that this process occurs error free and in strict control. Damage occurring at the cellular or molecular level can disrupt this and lead to uncontrolled proliferation of cells. Ionizing radiation has the ability to break chemical bonds in atoms and molecules. Owing to this potential, it may be referred to as a carcinogen. Cancer is commonly considered as the primary health effect from radiation exposure.

DNA Mutations

DNA, referred to as 'blueprint', is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic information. It ensures that cell repair and replacement proceed perfectly and perfect copies of the original cells are produced. Radiations can damage DNA and cause mutations.

Most of the mutations are irreparable by the human body. Some mutations are teratogenic (interfere with embryonal development and result in abnormalities in the fetus).

Non-Stochastic Health Effects

Exposure to high levels of radiation leads to non-stochastic health effects. These effects depend on the dose of the radiation the person is exposed to. Greater the exposure, more severe is the damage. Short-term, high-level exposure is referred to as ''acute'' exposure.

Health effects produced by an 'acute' exposure to radiation occur quickly. Non-stochastic health effects are mostly non-cancerous. The most important health effects are burns and radiation sickness.

Radiation Sickness (radiation poisoning) can cause premature aging or even death. Exposure to fatal doses can lead to death. Some symptoms of radiation sickness are:

• Nausea
• Weakness
• Hair loss
• Skin burns
• Diminished organ function

Symptoms developing at different doses of radiation are mentioned in the next section. Relatively high "bursts" of radiation that patients receive during medical treatment often cause acute effects. Neutropenia due to radiation exposure will be discussed later.(3^✔)

References:

1. Radiation: Ionizing - (http://www.ilocis.org/documents/chpt48e.htm)
2. Nuclear Radiation and the Thyroid - (https://www.thyroid.org/nuclear-radiation-thyroid/)
3. Summary Of Health Effects Of Ionizing Radiation - (https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp149-c3.pdf)
4. Protecting Yourself from Radiation - (https://www.epa.gov/radiation/protecting-yourself-radiation)
5. Radiation and Pregnancy: A Fact Sheet for Clinicians - (https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/emergencies/prenatalphysician.htm?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Femergency.cdc.gov%2Fradiation%2Fprenatalphysician.asp)
6. Standard Practices in Occupational Radiation Protection - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224061/)