Radiation in Everyday LifeTeo Jim Yang 3O3(26)

ContentsBasicsDefinitionIonizing and Non-ionizing radiationElectromagnetic RadiationNatural Background RadiationMan-Made RadiationRadiation in Our EnvironmentEffects of RadiationSources of radiation in everyday lifeSignificance of Radiation ExposurePeople who are at higher riskRadiation Protection

What is radiation?Energy that travels through space in the from of particles or wavesTwo different types of radiation: ionizing and non-ionizingRadiation can be found all around us

Ionizing and Non-ionizing RadiationIonizing RadiationHas a lot of energy that gives it the ability to cause changes in atomsEnough to damage DNAOverexposure can cause:Mutations in your genes, which causes birth defects, Raised risk of cancer, burnsRadiation sickness Non-ionizing RadiationRelatively low-energy radiation that doesn't have enough energy to ionize atoms or moleculesAlthough considered less dangerous than ionizing radiation, overexposure to non-ionizing radiation can cause health issues

Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation

Summary of Radiation

Natural Background RadiationRefers to the naturally derived, widespread radiation present everywhere in the environmentUsually not detrimental to life3 Main sources:Cosmic RadiationCosmic rays from outer space which bombard the earthTerrestrial RadiationRadioactive substances in the earth's crustSoilWaterVegetationEmanation of radioactive gas from the earth (radon gas)Internal RadiationTrace amounts of radioactivity in the body

Man-Made RadiationTwo distinct groups of people exposed to man-made radiation sources:Members of the publicOccupationally exposed individuals

Man-Made radiationSources that results in exposure to public:Tobacco (thorium)Television (EM radiation)Medical ProceduresDiagnostic X-raysNuclear medicineSmoke detectors (Americium)Building materials (Radon)Occupational sourcesRadiographyX-ray techniciansWorkers in Nuclear power plantNuclear medicine technicians

Light is made up of different components:Gamma RaysX-RaysUltraviolet RaysVisible LightInfrared RaysMicrowavesRadio WavesThey make up the electromagnetic spectrumThey emit radiationElectromagnetic (EM) RadiationDecreasing in Wavelength

Effects Of Radiation"Harmful Effects of Radiation" Video

Increased blood pressureLesionsDamage to foetus (in pregnant women)Mental retardationMiscarriageCancers:Salivary gland cancerLymphatic cancerBone marrow cancer (leukemia)Brain cancerBreast cancerHeart DiseaseHeadachesAnd much more

Effects of RadiationWhy does radiation cause harm?DNA DamageOur cells have mechanisms to repair DNA damage to a limited extent but radiation can overwhelm these mechanisms.Damaged DNA is implicated in several disease processes, including various types of cancer. Interference with Melatonin productionLow melatonin levels have already been linked to several diseases, including cancersInterference with Cellular CommunicationOur body cells communicate internally and externally by means of electrical signals.These signals can be altered by EMF radiation which generates electrical currents within the body causing changes in both cellular activity and cellular structures

Effects of Radiation Factors affecting the effect of radiation:Intensity of radiationExposure to strong radiation may cause damage, even though the exposure is of short duration Cumulative ExposureThe combination of the different frequencies a person is exposed to may overwhelm the body defenses and repair mechanisms. Duration of ExposureMany studies have indicated that various health effects are only noticed after many years of exposure to electromagnetic pollution, for example high voltage power lines, or cell phones. Radiation TransienceMore biologically stressful to be exposed to fluctuating radiation which arises from an electrical appliance which cycles on and off than from a similar appliance that remains steadily on all day.

Sources of Radiation in Everyday LifeCell-phonesTobacco Smoke from smokingMedical Use of RadiationRadiation from AppliancesTelevisions and ComputersMicrowave OvensHeating AppliancesPersonal Grooming Appliances

1. Cell Phone RadiationRadiation in cell phones is generated in the transmitter and emitted through the antennaIn the form of radio wavesThese waves picked up by a receiver in the cell-phone tower

1. Cell Phone RadiationWhen talking on a cell phone, most users place the phone against the headSome of the radiation might be absorbed by human tissueRadio frequency (RF) radiation has the ability to heat human tissueDamage to tissue can be caused by exposure to RF radiation because the body is not equipped to dissipate excessive amounts of heatThe eyes are particularly vulnerable due to the lack of blood flow in that areaUse of cell phones may have potential links to:CancerBrain tumorsAlzheimer's diseaseParkinson's diseaseHeadaches

1. Cell Phone RadiationSome precautions that can be made to reduce RF radiation exposure from cell phones:Extend the antenna during useUse a phone that places the antenna as far away from you as possibleUse a hands-free headsetLimit calls inside buildingsUse the phone in open spaces as often as possibleLimit use by children

2. Radiation from SmokingCigarette smoke contains radioactive lead-210 and polonium-210Each cigarette smoked can also be equated to one chest x-rayA non-smoker living with a smoker may receive the equivalent of 12 chest x-rays per year as a result of second-hand smokeLead-210 and polonium-210 are deposited in the bronchiolesRisk of cancers is increased with the presence of other harmful substances in cigarette smokeCarbon monoxideTarNicotine

3. Radiation In MedicineDiagnostic radiologyUse of machines (e.g. X-ray) to obtain images of the inside of the patient's bodyX-rays can penetrate skinBone, fat, muscle, tumors and other masses all absorb X-rays at different levelsThe image on the film reveals distinct structures in the body because of the different levels of exposure on the filmEven with the risks, X-ray scanning is still a safer option than surgeryOther diagnoses using radiation include mammography and MRI scans

3. Radiation In MedicineRadiotherapyUse of high energy x-rays and similar rays to treat disease (usually cancer)Radiation destroys the cancer cells in the treated areaAlthough normal cells can also be damaged by the radiotherapy, they can usually repair themselvesContributes to 40 per cent of all cured cancers

SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE ON HOW EMF EFFECTS THE PHYSICAL BODYDeteriorates melatonin in the bodyDestroys healthy blood cellsBreaks apart DNA strandsChanges firing rates in brain cellsLeaks calcium ions in brain and cellsAlters EEGsMost studies conducted at UCLAhttp://www.equilibra.uk.com/emfsbio.shtml Goldsworthy, Andrew (2007), The biological effects of weak electromagnetic fields.It is impossible to argue, with these findings, that EMF is safe, as the power companies have repeatedly stated.

4. Radiation from AppliancesTelevisionsTVs emit X-raysLCD (flat screen) TVs produce much less radiation ComputersComputers emit radio and microwavesWireless equipment (e.g. mouse, keyboard) also emit some radiation

Sit at least:1.9m away from TV60 cm away from computer screens

4. Radiation from AppliancesMicrowave OvensMicrowaves affect the foodStructure of protein foods is changedso that a beneficial protein molecule in the food becomes a harmful onePlacing plastic containers into the microwave may cause toxic plastic molecules to leach into the foodMicrowaves also leak out of the ovenkeep a distance of 1.5 meters

4. Radiation from AppliancesHeating AppliancesElectric blankets generate EM radiation, even after switched offElectrically heated carpets and rugs, under-carpet and under-floor heating all produce substantial EM radiationElectrical heaters also produce lot of EM radiation

4. Radiation from AppliancesPersonal Grooming AppliancesHairdryers, electric shavers, electric toothbrushes and similar personal grooming products emit radiation at their normal operating distancePeople at higher risk should refrain from using them

SignificanceEven though common sources of radiation only deal it in minute dosesThe frequency of which we are exposed to them are greater causes for concernThe accumulation of these small doses may greatly affect our health

People at Higher RiskChildrenBiologically more vulnerableThinner skullsTissues not fully developedMay not be able to control how much they use cell phones, play on computers, watch TV etc, and how close they sit to the screen. Pregnant WomenAny cellular damage in a developing embryo may have magnified consequences for the childAt risk of miscarriage if they are subjected to high intensity EM radiation during pregnancyLower EM radiation levels may still damage the foetus while not causing an actual miscarriage.

People At Higher RiskPeople already suffering from chronic degenerative conditionsThe body is already using all its available energy to heal itselfDoes not have much energy to spare for repairing the damage done by radiationWorkers in close proximity to electrical machineryExposed to strong electromagnetic fields and radiation

People At Higher RiskFrequent users of appliances that emit radiationSpend more than a few minutes a day talking on a cell phone pressed to their ear etcTable of Radiation-emitting AppliancesEspecially vulnerable if they done every day for yearsIn other words, most of us are at risk

Radiation ProtectionIncrease distance from sourceThe intensity of radiation decreases with distance from its source. Reduce time exposed to sourceIf exposure cannot be avoided, try to spend as little time near it as possibleIf it doesn't need to be turned on, switch it offRadiation comes from many devices which are left on unnecessarily, e.g. charger units for batteries, cell-phones, laptops etc, computers and printers

Radiation ProtectionShieldingBarriers of lead, concrete or water give good protection from high levels of penetrating radiation such as gamma raysIntensely radioactive materials are often stored or handled under water, or by remote control in rooms constructed of thick concrete or lined with leadContainmentHighly radioactive materials are confined and kept out of the workplace and environmentNuclear reactors operate within closed systems with multiple barriers which keep the radioactive materials contained

Referenceshttp://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf05.html http://www.world-nuclear.org/education/ral.htm http://science.howstuffworks.com/radiation.htm http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-electromagnetic-radiation.htm http://www.howstuffworks.com/cell-phone-radiation.htm http://www.hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q824.html http://www.uraniumsa.org/about/radiation.htm http://www.radiationanswers.org/radiation-introduction/types-of-radiation.html

Referenceshttp://orise.orau.gov/reacts/guide/define.htm http://www.chem.duke.edu/~jds/cruise_chem/nuclear/exposure.html http://www.docstoc.com/docs/23411087/Natural-and-Man-Made-Radiation-Sources http://www.emwatch.com/index.html http://www.uihealthcare.com/topics/medicaldepartments/cancercenter/prevention/preventionradiation.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/radiation/sources/tobacco.html http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/Radiation/UnderstandingRadiation/UnderstandingRadiationTopics/MedicalRadiation/http://health.howstuffworks.com/medicine/modern/nuclear-medicine.htm

*Emanation - emission*The bricks, stones, cements and drywalls that we use for the building of our homes, schools, offices frequently contain uranium ores and are thus sources of radon. *It's better for your eyes too*It's better for your eyes too**It's better for your eyes too