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Biological Effects of Radiation Hazards

Radiation exposure can cause a variety of health effects depending on the dose. Hair loss and acute radiation syndrome can occur after exposures over 200 rems. Exposures between 1000-5000 rems can damage the heart, while over 5000 rems causes brain damage. The blood, reproductive system, and thyroid are also vulnerable. Preventive measures include time, distance, shielding, protective clothing, and dosimeters. Constant low-level exposure is also a risk, so minimizing exposure is important.

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deepika ravi
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44 views14 pages

Biological Effects of Radiation Hazards

Radiation exposure can cause a variety of health effects depending on the dose. Hair loss and acute radiation syndrome can occur after exposures over 200 rems. Exposures between 1000-5000 rems can damage the heart, while over 5000 rems causes brain damage. The blood, reproductive system, and thyroid are also vulnerable. Preventive measures include time, distance, shielding, protective clothing, and dosimeters. Constant low-level exposure is also a risk, so minimizing exposure is important.

Uploaded by

deepika ravi
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF

RADIATION HAZARDS
PRESENTATION BY
R. Deepika
MHA 1st year
                 INTRODUCTION

• Use of ionizing radiation in medical imaging for diagnostic and


interventional purposes has risen dramatically in recent years with an 
increase in exposure of patients and health workers to radiation
hazards.
RADIATION
• Radiation is energy that comes from a
source and travels through space at the
speed of light. This energy has an electric
field and a magnetic field associated with
it, and has wave-like properties. It is also
called  “electromagnetic waves”.
        RADIATION HAZARDS
• Radiation hazard is the exposure to very high
levels of radiation, such as being close to an atomic
blast, can cause acute health effects such as skin
burns and acute radiation syndrome (“radiation
sickness"). It can also result in long-term health
effects such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
RADIATION
HAZARD
SCALE
TYPES OF RADIATION EXPOSURE
Radiation exposure may be internal or external, and can be acquired through various
exposure pathways.
• Internal exposure to ionizing radiation occurs when a radionuclide is inhaled,
ingested or otherwise enters into the bloodstream (for example, by injection or through
wounds). Internal exposure stops when the radionuclide is eliminated from the body,
either spontaneously (such as through excreta) or as a result of a treatment.
• External exposure may occur when airborne radioactive material (such as dust, liquid,
or aerosols) is deposited on skin or clothes. This type of radioactive material can often
be removed from the body by simply washing. 
• Irradiation from an external source, such as medical radiation exposure from X-rays.
External irradiation stops when the radiation source is shielded or when the person
moves outside the radiation field.
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF
RADIATION HAZARDS
HAIR
• When the radiation exposure is more than 200 rems, the hair loss
becomes quick and it occurs in clumps.

BRAIN
• When the radiation exposure is more than 5000 rems, the nerve cells and
small blood vessels get affected resulting in complete damage of the
brain.
 BLOOD SYSTEM
• When the radiation exposure is around 100rems, the first symptom is
the fall in lymphocyte count. The other symptoms are mild radiation
sickness and flu.
• This symptoms may persists for up to 10 years and they have an
increased long term risk for leukemia and lymphoma.
 HEART
• When the radiation exposure is between 1000 and 5000 rems, the small
blood vessels in the heart start to rupture resulting in heart failure.
 GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
• Radiation damage to the intestinal tract lining will cause nausea, blood
vomiting and diarrhea. This occurs when the victim's exposure is
200rems or more.             
​
Ø REPRODUCTIVE TRACT
• The reproductive tract can be easily damaged as the cells get
divided rapidly and the exposure required for the side effects
is less than 200 rems. Prolonged exposure can result in
radiation sickness making the victim sterile.

Ø THYROID 
•    The thyroid gland is likely to get damaged due to the
presence of  a sufficient amount of radioactive iodine.
PRINCIPLES OF RADIATION PROTECTION
   PREVENTIVE MEASURES
1. Use time, distance, shielding and containment to reduce exposure.

2. Wear dosimeters (e.g., film or TLD badges) if issued.

3. Avoid direct contact with the radiation.

4. Wear protective clothing i.e., lead apron to avoid radiation exposure.

5. All materials, equipment and personnel that came in contact with the
radiation are contaminated. Radiological monitoring is recommended before
leaving the scene.
                 CONCLUSION

• We are constantly exposed to radiation from a variety of naturally occurring


and human-produced sources.
• Exposure to radiation can cause a wide range of health effects, from minor
to severe, and including death.
• We can minimize the effects of radiation by shielding with dense materials
such as lead, moving away from the source, and limiting time of exposure.
                   REFERENCES

• Reducing radiation hazards | 2014-05-01 | ISHN


• https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/what_is.html
• https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ionizing-radiation-health-ef
fects-and-protective-measures
• manual-13-health-aspects-of-chemical-biological-and-radiological-hazards (1)

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