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Table of Contents

Radiation: Sources, Dose, Effects, Protection

What is radiation?

Radiation is energy transmitted through space in the form of electromagnetic waves or energetic particles.

Types of radiation

Two types:

Ionizing radiation- e.g. α, β, γ, δ or X-Ray etc.

There are two forms of ionizing radiation:

I. Particulate- composed of very fast-moving particles (alpha and beta particles, neutrons, and deuterons),

II. Electromagnetic radiation- such as gamma rays and X rays.

2. Nonionizing radiations are not energetic enough to ionize atoms and interact with materials in ways that create different hazards than ionizing radiation.

Sources of Radiation

Natural- radioactive substances such as the element radium or the radioisotopes potassium-40 and carbon-14 etc.
Man-made- X-ray machines, nuclear reactors, particle accelerators etc.

Average Effective Dose of radiation

Effects of radiation

Radiation can result in both beneficial and dangerous biological effects. Ionizing radiation passing through body produces intense ionization of cells and causes biological effect. Passage of ionizing radiation through a cell produces free radicals H+ & OH- and toxic molecules such as H₂ O_{2 .}

Immediate effects of radiation

If the patient exposed to the large dose: Nausea, vomiting, Diarrhoea, bleeding from intestine or organs.

If dose › 5000 rad- Patient dies within 2 hrs.

5000-3000 rad- Dies within 3 hrs.

Delayed effects of radiation

Somatic & genetic

Somatic effects of radiation

i) Shortening of life and hastening of degenerative procedure.

ii) Skin- Ulcer, Cancer, epilation.

iii) Leukemia

iv) Temporary or permanent sterility.

v) Carcinogenesis

Skin Cancer – Working in X-ray machines.

Lung cancer-Uranium mine workers

Bone cancer-Working in radium dial painter

Genetic effect of radiation

i) Abortion.

ii) Still birth

iii) Mentally retarded child.

iv) Abnormality of the baby- Deformity etc.

Protection

There are three ways by which the exposure can be reduced to desired levels.

TDS (Time Distance Shielding) Method

1. By reducing the duration of exposure.
2. By increasing distance between source and area under consideration.
3. By providing shielding.

Courtesy:

Dr. Huda, M.Phil.

Asst. professor, Radiology