Biological Effects

of Radiation

Josiah Dave F, Calumpang

BS Chemistry II

I. Radiation Introduction
 What is Radiation?

As we examine the composition and characteristics of matter, electrons have been

observed as the principal actors. Chemical processes entail the formation and severing of
relationships, which leads to many modifications to electronic environments of the constituent
atoms. Nuclei, while undoubtedly Not insignificant, hold steady throughout chemical exchanges.
But there's also another type of reaction that we haven't yet looked at, one how nucleus undergo
modification, changing the involved atoms' very identities. Nucleus transformations are usually
referred to as nuclear reactions. At normal temperatures, certain nuclei undergo spontaneous
changes and release radiating heat. Then, it is claimed that they are radioactive. As we shall
observe, other types of nuclear alterations exist as well. nuclear reactions are the source of the
energy in nuclear powerplants, nuclear weapons, and stars. They are involved in various
radiation therapies utilized to both diagnose and treat diseases. In addition, radioactive elements
are used to help determine the mechanisms of chemical reactions, to trace the movement of
atoms in biological systems and in the environment, and to date historical artifacts.

Figure 1. A stone with traces of Uranium, a

radioactive element

II. Ionizing Radiation

Ionizing Radiation, what is it?

 Ionizing radiation is a type of radiation that works by taking electrons out of atoms and
molecules of various substances, such as water, air, and biological things. These materials
can allow ionizing radiation to pass through them without being noticed. In the image below,
it is located on the right side of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Figure 2. An Electromagnetic Spectrum Diagram

The substance surrounding the ionized atom absorbs the energy released upon each
ionization. A significant quantity of energy is deposited in a tiny region by ionizing radiation.
The energy required to break the chemical link between two carbon atoms is more than
sufficient for one ionization.

There are three main kinds of ionizing radiation:

 alpha particles, which include two protons and two neutrons.

 beta particles, which are essentially electrons.

 gamma rays and x-rays, which are pure energy (photons).

Alpha particles and beta particles are not part of the electromagnetic spectrum; they are
energetic particles as opposed to pure energy bundles (photons).

Ionizing Radiation, how it is produced?

 Artificial or natural sources of energy can produce ionizing radiation. It possesses higher
energy than non-ionizing radiation, which allows it to disrupt chemical bonds and alter
molecules. Via this effect, live tissue may sustain injury. Radioactive materials can be created
artificially in a reactor or accelerator, or they can occur naturally in the ground, such as
radium and uranium.

Medical X-ray machines and other radiation-generating equipment electronically produce

ionizing radiation, which is then shut off. Certain industrial radiography equipment and other
equipment containing radioactive material cannot be turned off due to the ionizing radiation
that is released by the radioactive source. To stop or lessen radiation exposure, these sources
need to be shielded—that is, encircled by anything that can block radiation.

Ionizing radiation from natural sources is typically released at low concentrations,

meaning that our bodies receive modest doses of radiation from these sources. The naturally
occurring radioactive elements in our bodies are among the natural sources of ionizing
radiation. For instance, our bodies contain a very small amount of radioactive potassium.
 Figure 3. A radioactive x-ray Figure 4. The radioactive element
machine used in diagnostic Radium
medicine.

Ionizing radiation, how can it damage biological matter/ DNA?

Ionizing radiation from natural sources is typically released at low concentrations,
meaning that our bodies receive modest doses of radiation from these sources. The naturally
occurring radioactive elements in our bodies are among the natural sources of ionizing radiation.
For instance, our bodies contain a very small amount of radioactive potassium.

Severe radiation doses (above 10 sievert) administered to the entire body in a brief
amount of time harm internal organs and tissues to such an extent that critical systems fail and
mortality may occur in a matter of days or weeks. When given quickly, very high doses (between
1 and 10 sievert) kill a lot of cells, which can affect the way essential organs and systems work.
Within hours, days, or weeks, there may be acute health effects such as nausea, vomiting, burns
to the skin and deep tissues, and a decrease in the body's capacity to fight infection. With dosage,
the damage's extent grows.

The body is composed of various cell types. As an illustration, we have blood, muscle,
and brain cells. The genetic material of the cell resides in the nucleus as genes, which are then
joined to form chromosomes, which are structures that resemble strands. A cell's ability to
function is determined by its genes. A cancer could develop if there is damage to the genes. This
indicates that the cell is no longer able to regulate the pace at which it divides. A mutation could
happen if genes in the reproductive organs are damaged. Children may inherit such a mutation.

Figure 5. A diagram on how

radiation damages the DNA.
 III. Stochastic and non-stochastic effects on radiation
A. Radiation Stochastic effects
The effects that arise from a high dosage of radiation are known as stochastic effects. As
the dosage is increased, the likelihood of these consequences happening increases. It is not
possible to determine a threshold dose below which a stochastic impact cannot arise. The extent
of these effects is usually determined by chance and does not depend on the amount of radiation
absorbed; damage to a single or small number of cells causes the effect.

Cancerous illness and inherited conditions with a chance of occurrence. The probability
of a stochastic effect occurring is proportional to the dosage that was administered. Two forms of
stochastic effects exist.

a) Somatic stochastic effect

b) Genetic Effect

Somatic stochastic effect

These radiation impacts are specific to each individual and are not to be confused with
hereditary effects. These detrimental impacts expose people to suffering throughout their lives.
Example of these is cancer.
 Figure 6. A cancer cells.

Genetic or hereditary effect

Ionizing radiation causes harm to reproductive cells' genetic material, which results in the
transmission of these effects from generation to generation. Radiation can cause damage to a
single gene and D.N.A., which can result in the birth of offspring with defects.

Examples of Hereditary Diseases:

 Albinism
 Down Syndrome
 Cystic Fibrosis
 Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
 Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
 Fabry Disease
Figure 7. A patient who has a
 Thalassemia hereditary disease called Ehlers-
Danlos syndrome.
B. Radiation non-stochastic effects
Non-stochastic effects

Non-stochastic effect. also known as deterministic effect. These effects depend on the
duration, dosage, and kind of radiation. There is a dose threshold below which the effects do
not materialize; the threshold may differ from person to person. Deterministic effects are
those reactions whose intensity grows as the dose does; that is, the more the dose, the more
severe the effect. Most tissue late effects and all early effects are predictable. This
mechanism involves many cells, and when the dose is high enough, cell death occurs in all
subjects. The degree of response is proportionate to the dose.

Non-stochastic effects include:

a) Acute Radiation Sickness

b) Chronic Radiation Sickness

Acute radiation sickness

Acute radiation effects are not harmful effects; instead, they are primarily brought on by
large radiation doses administered quickly. These effects occur immediately following
exposure or within a day of exposure. They are simple to treat and manage. An acute effect is
a result of a brief exposure to a high concentration of a toxin; these effects are the
consequence of a single exposure and usually show up quickly, often requiring a high
exposure over a brief period. Acute radiation sickness primarily manifests as nausea,
vomiting, headaches, fever, and burns to the skin and tissues.

Chronic radiation sickness

After a month or a year of heavy radiation exposure, chronic radiation illness develops.
These side effects are harmful, difficult to treat, and potentially fatal. Occasionally, long-term
effects from small radiation doses given repeatedly over many years can be chronic. These
effects may have long-term consequences; cataracts, cancer, and genetic mutations are a few
examples of chronic effects that are not immediately apparent. The inability to conceive and
both temporary and permanent sterility are other chronic effects.
 Figure 8. A patient who has a
radiation dermatitis

IV. Radiation Protection

Protecting Yourself from Radiation

Radiation is a natural part of life. We are constantly surrounded by background radiation,
the majority of which originates from natural minerals. Fortunately, the average person is
rarely exposed to uncontrolled radiation sources above background levels. Still, it's a good
idea to be ready and know what to do in case this kind of scenario comes up.

Knowing the radiation protection principles of time, distance, and shielding is one of the
best ways to be ready. We can use these guidelines to help safeguard our families and
ourselves in the event of a radiological emergency, which is a significant release of
radioactive material into the environment.

 Time: Reducing or limiting the exposure time lowers the dose from the radiation source
for individuals who are exposed to radiation on top of the ambient natural radiation.
 Distance: The radiation dose dramatically decreases with increasing distance from the
source, much as the heat from a fire does as you get farther away.
 Shielding: Lead, concrete, or water barriers offer defense against x-rays and gamma rays
that can penetrate. For this reason, some radioactive materials are kept submerged in
water, in rooms lined with concrete or lead, or in patients undergoing dental x-rays,
dentists cover their patients' teeth with lead blankets. As a result, the dose you receive
from radiation sources can be significantly decreased or eliminated by placing the
appropriate shield between you and them.
Protective clothing for radioactive environments
Figure 9. Ways to protect yourself from radiation.

Figure 10. Protective clothing for radioactive environment

 Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, a Dragon’s Nest

After watching the documentary about uranium, I’ve learned a lot of things about
it. I learned that uranium is a radioactive element, yet with high potential of energy source.
Uranium is very radioactive that it is used as an atomic bomb to wipe out Hiroshima and
Nagasaki in Japan during World War II. Because of its radioactivity, uranium releases high
volume of energy throughout the course of its radioactivity. Uranium is thought to be a Dragon
waiting to be unleashed. Just like what happened in Chernobyl, with just a single mistake that
causes accident that then become toxic that it even forces the whole place to be closed until
20,000 to be habitable. Because of its high energy potential, it is too tempting to touch if not only
for its hazard effect if accident may happen. But, with the knowledge from the past incident
especially Chernobyl, and with the latest technologies nowadays, I think that the nuclear power
plant in Bataan can safely be opened and be in service for the country. Just like the new chemical
power plant in Dubai. It is said to be the safest nuclear power plant in the world. I think that the
word safe in nuclear power plant can be achievable with the help of these new advancements of
technologies. Though it is very expensive set up, but with costly price with a vast full of energy
enough to supply even the whole country in many years. But the cost is sensible in terms that oil
in which our primary source of energy is becoming more expensive year by year. Aside from
that, nuclear energy is also the cleanest energy, enough to lessen the global warming. Nuclear
power is seen as clean in terms of emissions. Its functioning results in no additional harmful
greenhouse gas emissions and zero carbon emissions. So, I think that the Bataan Nuclear
Powerplant should be open with caution to serve the country and even enough to solve the
energy crisis and global warming crisis.
References

 https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/
ionizing_radiation.html#:~:text=Ionizing%20radiation%20is%20a
%20form%20of%20energy%20that%20acts%20by,spectrum%20in
%20the%20figure%20below.
 https://www.arpansa.gov.au/understanding-radiation/what-is-
radiation/ionising-radiation
 https://www.osha.gov/ionizing-radiation/
background#:~:text=Sources%20of%20ionizing%20radiation
%20include,in%20an%20accelerator%20or%20reactor.
 https://juniperpublishers.com/ctoij/CTOIJ.MS.ID.555834.php
 https://www.epa.gov/radiation/protecting-yourself-
radiation#:~:text=Staying%20inside%20will%20reduce
%20your,eat%20food%20in%20sealed%20containers.