Dangerous Effects of Radiation

Dangerous  Effects  of  Radiation  

Group  5  

10  Everyday  Sources  of  Radiation  

1.  Earth  

2.  Cosmic  Radiation  

3.  Medical/Dental  Exposure  

4.  Radon  

5.  Power  Lines  

6.  Microwave  

7.  Security  Scans  

8.  Smoke  Detectors  

9.  Tobacco  

10. Wireless  Technology  

Outline  1.  Death  

2.  Cancer  

3.  DNA  Damage  

4.  Internal  Damage  

5.  Genetic  and  Birth  Defects  

6.  Teratogenic  Effects  

7.  Poor  Immunity  

8.  Radiation  Sickness  

9.  Nausea,  Diarrhea  &  Vomiting  

10.  Psychological  and  behavioral  effects  

Death  !   Very  high  levels  of  radiation  exposure  often  lead  to  

death  within  a  FEW  DAYS  or  WEEKS  

Cancer  !   Estimated  that  about  0.4%  of  all  cancers  in  the  US    are  

attributed  to  radiation  from  CT  Scan  

DNA  Damage  !   Can  bring  about  cell  mutation,  cell  suicide,  and  

random  cell  division.  

Internal  Damage  !   Possible  Symptoms  of  radiation  exposure  include  

inflammation  of  the  sac  around  the  heart,  respiratory  failure,  and  vision  impairment  

Genetic  and  Birth  Effects  

!   Birth  defects  from  radiation  include  abnormal  growth,  mental  retardation,  poorly  formed  eyes,  small  head,  and  childhood  cancers.  

Teratogenic  Effects  !   Radiation  effects  on  the  fetus  

!   Common  effects  include  short  stature,  abnormal  organ  position,  and  abnormal  organ  size  

Poor  Immunity  !   Negative  side  effects  include  disrupted  white  blood  

cell  activity,  poor  liver  function,  inflamed  cells,  poor  muscle  mass,  and  fluid  imbalances  

Radiation  Sickness  !   Also  called  as  Radiation  Poisoning  

!   term  used  to  describe  the  damaging  effects  of  large  doses  of  radiation  on  the  body,  such  as  after  a  nuclear  bomb  explosion  or  nuclear  reactor  explosion  

Nausea,  Diarrhea  &  Vomiting  

!   Caused  by  smaller  but  significant  doses  of  radiation  

Psychological  &  Behavioral  Effects  

!   Complaints  among  Atomic  bomb  survivors.  

!   Neurotic  symptoms,  including  gen.  fatigue,  amnesia  &  lack  of  concentration  as  well  as  other  symptoms  commonly  associated  with  autonomic  nerve  imbalance,  such  as  palpitation  or  a  sense  of  burning  or  chill.    

Exposure  (rem)   Negative  Health  Effects  of  Radiation  Exposure  

Time  to  Onset  (without  treatment)  

5-­‐10   Changes  in  blood  chemistry  

50   Nausea   Hours  

55   Fatigue  

70   Vomiting  

75   Hair  loss   2-­‐3  Weeks  

90   Diarrhea  

100   Hemorrhage  

400   Possible  Death   within  2  Months  

1000   Destruction  of  Intestinal  Lining  

Internal  Bleeding  

Death   1-­‐2  Weeks  

2000   Damage  to  Central  Nervous  System  

Loss  of  Consciousness   Minutes  

Death   Hours  to  Days  *rem-­‐Roentgen  equivalent  in  man