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"Exposure to radiation from natural sources is an inescapable feature of everyday life in both working and public environments. This exposure is in most cases of little or no concern to society, but in certain situations the introduction of health protection measures needs to be considered, for example when working with uranium and thorium ores ...
The embryo and fetus are considered highly sensitive to radiation exposure. [8] Complications from radiation exposure include malformation of internal organs, reduction of IQ, and cancer formation. [8] The SI unit of exposure is the coulomb per kilogram (C/kg), which has largely replaced the roentgen (R). [9]
The level of health risk is dependent on duration and the type and strength of irradiation. Penetrating radiation such as gamma rays, X-rays, neutrons or beta particles pose the greatest risk from an external source. Low penetrating radiation such as alpha particles have a low external risk due to the shielding effect of the top layers of skin.
Background radiation comes from both natural and human-made sources. The global average exposure of humans to ionizing radiation is about 3 mSv (0.3 rem) per year, 80% of which comes from nature. The remaining 20% results from exposure to human-made radiation sources, primarily from medical imaging.
A common source of ionizing radiation is radioactive materials that emit α, β, or γ radiation, consisting of helium nuclei, electrons or positrons, and photons, respectively. Other sources include X-rays from medical radiography examinations and muons , mesons , positrons, neutrons and other particles that constitute the secondary cosmic ...
This radiation is a small portion of the total emitted during radium 226 decay. Radium 228 emits beta particles, and is also a concern for human health through inhalation and ingestion. The gamma rays emitted from radium 226, accounting for 4% of the radiation, are harmful to humans with sufficient exposure.
Acute radiation syndrome (ARS), also known as radiation sickness or radiation poisoning, is a collection of health effects that are caused by being exposed to high amounts of ionizing radiation in a short period of time. [1] Symptoms can start within an hour of exposure, and can last for several months.
In listing civilian radiation accidents, the following criteria have been followed: There must be well-attested and substantial health damage, property damage or contamination. The damage must be related directly to radioactive materials or ionizing radiation from a man-made source, not merely taking place at a facility where such are being used.