Radiation is the flow of particles formed during nuclear reactions or radioactive decay.. We all have heard about the danger of radioactive radiation for the human body and we know that it can cause a huge number of pathological conditions. But often most people do not know what exactly is the danger of radiation and how you can protect yourself from it. In this article, we examined what radiation is, what is its danger to humans, and what diseases it can cause.

What is radiation

The definition of this term is not very clear for a person who is not related to physics or, for example, medicine. The term "radiation" refers to the release of particles formed during nuclear reactions or radioactive decay. That is, this is the radiation that comes out of certain substances.

Radioactive particles have different ability to penetrate and pass through different substances. Some of them can pass through glass, the human body, concrete.

Based on the knowledge of the ability of specific radioactive waves to pass through materials, rules for protection against radiation are drawn up. For example, the walls of X-ray rooms are made of lead, through which radioactive radiation cannot pass.

Radiation happens:

• natural. It forms the natural radiation background to which we are all accustomed. The sun, soil, stones emit radiation. They are not dangerous to the human body.
• technogenic, that is, one that was created as a result of human activity. This includes the extraction of radioactive substances from the depths of the Earth, the use of nuclear fuels, reactors, etc.

How radiation enters the human body

Radiation is dangerous to humans. With an increase in its level above the permissible norm, various diseases and lesions of internal organs and systems develop. Against the background of radiation exposure, malignant oncological pathologies can develop. Radiation is also used in medicine. It is used to diagnose and treat many diseases.

The word "radiation" is more often understood as ionizing radiation associated with radioactive decay. At the same time, a person experiences the action of non-ionizing types of radiation: electromagnetic and ultraviolet.

The main sources of radiation are:

• natural radioactive substances around and inside us - 73%;
• medical procedures (radioscopy and others) - 13%;
• cosmic radiation - 14%.

Of course, there are technogenic sources of pollution that appeared as a result of major accidents. These are the most dangerous events for mankind, because, as in a nuclear explosion, iodine (J-131), cesium (Cs-137) and strontium (mainly Sr-90) can be released in this case. Weapons-grade plutonium (Pu-241) and its decay products are no less dangerous.

Also, do not forget that for the last 40 years the Earth's atmosphere has been very heavily polluted by radioactive products of atomic and hydrogen bombs. Of course, at the moment, radioactive fallout falls only in connection with natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions. But, on the other hand, during the fission of a nuclear charge at the time of the explosion, a radioactive isotope of carbon-14 is formed with a half-life of 5,730 years. The explosions changed the equilibrium content of carbon-14 in the atmosphere by 2.6%. At present, the average effective dose equivalent rate due to explosion products is about 1 mrem/year, which is approximately 1% of the dose rate due to natural background radiation.

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Energy is another reason for the serious accumulation of radionuclides in the human and animal body. The coal used to operate the CHP plant contains naturally occurring radioactive elements such as potassium-40, uranium-238 and thorium-232. The annual dose in the area of ​​coal-fired CHP is 0.5–5 mrem/year. By the way, nuclear power plants are characterized by significantly lower emissions.

Almost all inhabitants of the Earth undergo medical procedures using sources of ionizing radiation. But this is a more complex issue, to which we will return a little later.

What units is radiation measured in?

Various units are used to measure the amount of radiation energy. In medicine, the main one is the sievert - the effective equivalent dose received in one procedure by the whole organism. It is in sieverts per unit time that the level of background radiation is measured. The becquerel is a unit of measure for the radioactivity of water, soil, and so on per unit volume.

See the table for other units of measurement.

Term	Units		Unit ratio	Definition
	In the SI system	In the old system
Activity	Becquerel, Bq		1 Ci = 3.7 × 10 10 Bq	Number of radioactive decays per unit time
Dose rate	Sievert per hour, Sv/h	X-ray per hour, R/h	1 µR/h = 0.01 µSv/h	Radiation level per unit of time
Absorbed dose		radian, rad	1 rad = 0.01 Gy	The amount of ionizing radiation energy transferred to a specific object
Effective dose	Sievert, Sv		1 rem = 0.01 Sv	Radiation dose, taking into account the different sensitivity of organs to radiation

Consequences of irradiation

The effect of radiation on a person is called irradiation. Its main manifestation is acute radiation sickness, which has various degrees of severity. Radiation sickness can manifest itself when irradiated with a dose equal to 1 sievert. A dose of 0.2 Sv increases the risk of cancer, and a dose of 3 Sv threatens the life of the irradiated person.

Radiation sickness manifests itself in the form of the following symptoms: loss of strength, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting; dry, hacking cough; cardiac disorders.

In addition, radiation causes radiation burns. Very large doses lead to the death of the skin, up to muscle and bone damage, which is treated much worse than chemical or thermal burns. Along with burns, metabolic disorders, infectious complications, radiation infertility, radiation cataracts may appear.

The consequences of irradiation can manifest themselves after a long time - this is the so-called stochastic effect. It is expressed in the fact that among exposed people the frequency of certain oncological diseases may increase. Theoretically, genetic effects are also possible, but even among the 78,000 Japanese children who survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, they did not find an increase in the number of cases of hereditary diseases. And this is despite the fact that the effects of irradiation have a stronger effect on dividing cells, so radiation is much more dangerous for children than for adults.

Short-term exposure to low doses, used for examination and treatment of certain diseases, gives rise to an interesting effect called hormesis. This is the stimulation of any system of the body by external influences that have a force insufficient for the manifestation of harmful factors. This effect allows the body to mobilize forces.

Statistically, radiation can increase the level of oncology, but it is very difficult to identify the direct effect of radiation, separating it from the action of chemically harmful substances, viruses, and other things. It is known that after the bombing of Hiroshima, the first effects in the form of an increase in the incidence began to appear only after 10 years or more. Cancer of the thyroid, breast and certain parts of the body is directly related to radiation.

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The natural radiation background is about 0.1–0.2 µSv/h. It is believed that a constant background level above 1.2 μSv / h is dangerous for humans (it is necessary to distinguish between an instantly absorbed radiation dose and a constant background dose). Is it a lot? For comparison: the level of radiation at a distance of 20 km from the Japanese nuclear power plant "Fukushima-1" at the time of the accident exceeded the norm by 1,600 times. The maximum recorded radiation level at this distance is 161 µSv/h. After the explosion, the radiation level reached several thousand microsieverts per hour.

During a 2–3-hour flight over an ecologically clean area, a person receives exposure to 20–30 μSv. The same dose of radiation threatens if a person takes 10-15 pictures in one day with a modern x-ray machine - a visiograph. A couple of hours in front of a cathode ray monitor or TV gives the same dose of radiation as one such picture. The annual dose from smoking one cigarette a day is 2.7 mSv. One fluorography - 0.6 mSv, one radiography - 1.3 mSv, one fluoroscopy - 5 mSv. Radiation from concrete walls - up to 3 mSv per year.

When irradiating the whole body and for the first group of critical organs (heart, lungs, brain, pancreas, and others), regulatory documents set the maximum dose value at 50,000 μSv (5 rem) per year.

Acute radiation sickness develops at a single exposure dose of 1,000,000 μSv (25,000 digital fluorography, 1,000 spinal radiographs in one day). Large doses have an even stronger effect:

• 750,000 µSv - short-term insignificant change in blood composition;
• 1,000,000 µSv - mild degree of radiation sickness;
• 4,500,000 µSv - severe radiation sickness (50% of those exposed die);
• about 7,000,000 µSv - death.

Are x-rays dangerous?

Most often, we encounter radiation during medical research. However, the doses that we receive in the process are so small that we should not be afraid of them. The irradiation time with an old X-ray machine is 0.5–1.2 seconds. And with a modern visiograph, everything happens 10 times faster: in 0.05–0.3 seconds.

According to the medical requirements set forth in SanPiN 2.6.1.1192-03, during preventive medical radiological procedures, the radiation dose should not exceed 1,000 μSv per year. How much is in pictures? Quite a bit of:

• 500 sighting images (2–3 μSv) obtained with a radiovisiograph;
• 100 of the same images, but using a good X-ray film (10–15 µSv);
• 80 digital orthopantomograms (13–17 µSv);
• 40 film orthopantomograms (25–30 μSv);
• 20 computed tomograms (45–60 μSv).

That is, if every day throughout the year we take one picture on a visiograph, add to this a couple of computed tomograms and the same number of orthopantomograms, then even in this case we will not go beyond the permitted doses.

Who should not be irradiated

However, there are people to whom even such types of exposure are strictly prohibited. According to the standards approved in Russia (SanPiN 2.6.1.1192-03), irradiation in the form of radiography can be performed only in the second half of pregnancy, except in cases where the issue of abortion or the need to provide emergency or emergency care must be resolved.

Paragraph 7.18 of the document reads: “X-ray examinations of pregnant women are carried out using all possible means and methods of protection so that the dose received by the fetus does not exceed 1 mSv in two months of undiagnosed pregnancy. If the fetus receives a dose exceeding 100 mSv, the doctor must warn the patient about the possible consequences and recommend terminating the pregnancy.”

Young people who will become parents in the future need to cover the abdominal area and genitals from radiation. X-ray radiation has the most negative effect on blood cells and germ cells. In children, in general, the entire body should be shielded, except for the area being examined, and studies should be carried out only when necessary and as directed by a doctor.

Sergey Nelyubin, Head of the Department of X-ray Diagnostics, RNCH named after I.I. B. V. Petrovsky, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor

How to protect yourself

There are three main methods of X-ray protection: time protection, distance protection and shielding. That is, the less you are in the zone of action of X-rays and the farther you are from the radiation source, the lower the radiation dose.

Although the safe dose of radiation exposure is calculated for a year, it is still not worth doing several x-ray studies on the same day, for example, fluorography and. Well, each patient should have a radiation passport (it is invested in a medical card): the radiologist enters information about the dose received during each examination into it.

Radiography primarily affects the endocrine glands, the lungs. The same applies to small doses of radiation during accidents and releases of active substances. Therefore, as a preventive measure, doctors recommend breathing exercises. They will help cleanse the lungs and activate the reserves of the body.

To normalize the internal processes of the body and remove harmful substances, it is worth using more antioxidants: vitamins A, C, E (red wine, grapes). Sour cream, cottage cheese, milk, grain bread, bran, raw rice, prunes are useful.

In the event that food inspires certain concerns, you can use the recommendations for residents of the regions affected by the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

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In real exposure due to an accident or in a contaminated area, quite a lot needs to be done. First you need to carry out decontamination: quickly and accurately remove clothes and shoes with radiation carriers, properly dispose of them, or at least remove radioactive dust from your belongings and surrounding surfaces. It is enough to wash the body and clothes (separately) under running water using detergents.

Before or after exposure to radiation, nutritional supplements and anti-radiation drugs are used. The most well-known drugs are high in iodine, which helps to effectively combat the negative effects of its radioactive isotope, which is localized in the thyroid gland. To block the accumulation of radioactive cesium and prevent secondary damage, "Potassium orotate" is used. Calcium supplements deactivate the radioactive strontium preparation by 90%. Dimethyl sulfide is shown to protect cellular structures.

By the way, the well-known activated carbon can neutralize the effect of radiation. And the benefits of drinking vodka immediately after exposure are not a myth at all. It really helps to remove radioactive isotopes from the body in the simplest cases.

Just do not forget: self-treatment should be carried out only if it is impossible to consult a doctor in a timely manner and only in the case of real, not fictitious exposure. X-ray diagnostics, watching TV or flying on an airplane do not affect the health of the average inhabitant of the Earth.

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Radiation and types of radioactive radiation, the composition of radioactive (ionizing) radiation and its main characteristics. The action of radiation on matter.

What is radiation

First, let's define what radiation is:

In the process of decay of a substance or its synthesis, the elements of the atom (protons, neutrons, electrons, photons) are ejected, otherwise we can say radiation occurs these elements. Such radiation is called ionizing radiation or what is more common radiation, or even easier radiation . Ionizing radiation also includes x-rays and gamma rays.

Radiation - this is the process of emission of charged elementary particles by matter, in the form of electrons, protons, neutrons, helium atoms or photons and muons. The type of radiation depends on which element is emitted.

Ionization- is the process of formation of positively or negatively charged ions or free electrons from neutrally charged atoms or molecules.

Radioactive (ionizing) radiation can be divided into several types, depending on the type of elements of which it consists. Different types of radiation are caused by different microparticles and therefore have different energy effects on matter, different ability to penetrate through it and, as a result, different biological effects of radiation.

Alpha, beta and neutron radiation- These are radiations consisting of various particles of atoms.

Gamma and X-rays is the emission of energy.

alpha radiation

• emitted: two protons and two neutrons
• penetrating power: low
• source exposure: up to 10 cm
• radiation speed: 20,000 km/s
• ionization: 30,000 pairs of ions per 1 cm of run
• high

Alpha (α) radiation arises from the decay of unstable isotopes elements.

alpha radiation- this is the radiation of heavy, positively charged alpha particles, which are the nuclei of helium atoms (two neutrons and two protons). Alpha particles are emitted during the decay of more complex nuclei, for example, during the decay of uranium, radium, and thorium atoms.

Alpha particles have a large mass and are emitted at a relatively low speed of 20,000 km/s on average, which is about 15 times less than the speed of light. Since alpha particles are very heavy, upon contact with a substance, the particles collide with the molecules of this substance, begin to interact with them, losing their energy, and therefore the penetrating power of these particles is not great and even a simple sheet of paper can hold them.

However, alpha particles carry a lot of energy and, when interacting with matter, cause its significant ionization. And in the cells of a living organism, in addition to ionization, alpha radiation destroys tissues, leading to various damage to living cells.

Of all types of radiation, alpha radiation has the least penetrating power, but the consequences of irradiating living tissues with this type of radiation are the most severe and significant compared to other types of radiation.

Exposure to radiation in the form of alpha radiation can occur when radioactive elements enter the body, for example, with air, water or food, as well as through cuts or wounds. Once in the body, these radioactive elements are carried by the bloodstream throughout the body, accumulate in tissues and organs, exerting a powerful energy effect on them. Since some types of radioactive isotopes that emit alpha radiation have a long lifespan, when they get inside the body, they can cause serious changes in cells and lead to tissue degeneration and mutations.

Radioactive isotopes are not actually excreted from the body on their own, therefore, once inside the body, they will irradiate the tissues from the inside for many years until they lead to serious changes. The human body is not able to neutralize, process, assimilate or utilize most of the radioactive isotopes that have entered the body.

neutron radiation

• emitted: neutrons
• penetrating power: high
• source exposure: kilometers
• radiation speed: 40,000 km/s
• ionization: from 3000 to 5000 pairs of ions per 1 cm of run
• biological effect of radiation: high

neutron radiation- This is man-made radiation that occurs in various nuclear reactors and during atomic explosions. Also, neutron radiation is emitted by stars in which active thermonuclear reactions take place.

Having no charge, neutron radiation, colliding with matter, weakly interacts with elements of atoms at the atomic level, therefore it has a high penetrating power. Neutron radiation can be stopped by using materials with a high hydrogen content, such as a container of water. Also, neutron radiation does not penetrate well through polyethylene.

Neutron radiation passing through biological tissues causes serious damage to cells, as it has a significant mass and a higher speed than alpha radiation.

beta radiation

• emitted: electrons or positrons
• penetrating power: average
• source exposure: up to 20 m
• radiation speed: 300,000 km/s
• ionization: from 40 to 150 pairs of ions per 1 cm of run
• biological effect of radiation: average

Beta (β) radiation arises during the transformation of one element into another, while the processes occur in the very nucleus of the atom of matter with a change in the properties of protons and neutrons.

With beta radiation, a neutron is converted into a proton or a proton into a neutron, with this transformation an electron or positron (an antiparticle of the electron) is emitted, depending on the type of transformation. The speed of the emitted elements approaches the speed of light and is approximately equal to 300,000 km/s. The emitted elements are called beta particles.

Having an initially high radiation speed and small dimensions of the emitted elements, beta radiation has a higher penetrating power than alpha radiation, but has hundreds of times less ability to ionize matter compared to alpha radiation.

Beta radiation easily penetrates through clothes and partially through living tissues, but when passing through denser structures of matter, for example, through metal, it begins to interact with it more intensively and loses most of its energy, transferring it to the elements of matter. A metal sheet of a few millimeters can completely stop beta radiation.

If alpha radiation is dangerous only in direct contact with a radioactive isotope, then beta radiation, depending on its intensity, can already cause significant harm to a living organism at a distance of several tens of meters from the radiation source.

If a radioactive isotope that emits beta radiation enters a living organism, it accumulates in tissues and organs, exerting an energy effect on them, leading to changes in the structure of tissues and, over time, causing significant damage.

Some radioactive isotopes with beta radiation have a long decay period, that is, when they enter the body, they will irradiate it for years until they lead to tissue degeneration and, as a result, to cancer.

Gamma radiation

• emitted: energy in the form of photons
• penetrating power: high
• source exposure: up to hundreds of meters
• radiation speed: 300,000 km/s
• ionization:
• biological effect of radiation: low

Gamma (γ) radiation- this is an energetic electromagnetic radiation in the form of photons.

Gamma radiation accompanies the process of disintegration of atoms of matter and manifests itself in the form of radiated electromagnetic energy in the form of photons released when the energy state of the atomic nucleus changes. Gamma rays are emitted from the nucleus at the speed of light.

When a radioactive decay of an atom occurs, then others are formed from some substances. The atom of newly formed substances are in an energetically unstable (excited) state. By acting on each other, neutrons and protons in the nucleus come to a state where the forces of interaction are balanced, and excess energy is emitted by the atom in the form of gamma radiation

Gamma radiation has a high penetrating power and easily penetrates through clothes, living tissues, a little more difficult through dense structures of a substance such as metal. To stop gamma radiation would require a significant thickness of steel or concrete. But at the same time, gamma radiation has a hundred times weaker effect on matter than beta radiation and tens of thousands of times weaker than alpha radiation.

The main danger of gamma radiation is its ability to overcome considerable distances and affect living organisms several hundred meters from the source of gamma radiation.

x-ray radiation

• emitted: energy in the form of photons
• penetrating power: high
• source exposure: up to hundreds of meters
• radiation speed: 300,000 km/s
• ionization: from 3 to 5 pairs of ions per 1 cm of run
• biological effect of radiation: low

x-ray radiation- this is an energetic electromagnetic radiation in the form of photons, arising from the transition of an electron inside an atom from one orbit to another.

X-ray radiation is similar in action to gamma radiation, but has a lower penetrating power, because it has a longer wavelength.

Having considered various types of radioactive radiation, it is clear that the concept of radiation includes completely different types of radiation that have different effects on matter and living tissues, from direct bombardment by elementary particles (alpha, beta and neutron radiation) to energy effects in the form of gamma and X-rays. cure.

Each of the considered radiations is dangerous!

Comparative table with the characteristics of various types of radiation

characteristic	Type of radiation
	alpha radiation	neutron radiation	beta radiation	Gamma radiation	x-ray radiation
radiated	two protons and two neutrons	neutrons	electrons or positrons	energy in the form of photons	energy in the form of photons
penetrating power	low	high	average	high	high
source exposure	up to 10 cm	kilometers	up to 20 m	hundreds of meters	hundreds of meters
radiation speed	20,000 km/s	40,000 km/s	300,000 km/s	300,000 km/s	300,000 km/s
ionization, vapor per 1 cm of run	30 000	from 3000 to 5000	from 40 to 150	3 to 5	3 to 5
biological effect of radiation	high	high	average	low	low

As can be seen from the table, depending on the type of radiation, radiation at the same intensity, for example, 0.1 Roentgen, will have a different destructive effect on the cells of a living organism. To take into account this difference, the coefficient k was introduced, which reflects the degree of exposure to radioactive radiation on living objects.

coefficient k
Type of radiation and energy range	Weight multiplier
Photons all energies (gamma radiation)	1
Electrons and muons all energies (beta radiation)	1
neutrons with energy < 10 КэВ (нейтронное излучение)	5
Neutrons from 10 to 100 keV (neutron radiation)	10
Neutrons from 100 keV to 2 MeV (neutron radiation)	20
Neutrons from 2 MeV to 20 MeV (neutron radiation)	10
Neutrons> 20 MeV (neutron radiation)	5
Protons with energies > 2 MeV (except for recoil protons)	5
alpha particles, fission fragments and other heavy nuclei (alpha radiation)	20

The higher the "coefficient k" the more dangerous the action of a certain type of radiation for the tissues of a living organism.

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Ionizing radiation (hereinafter - IR) is radiation, the interaction of which with matter leads to the ionization of atoms and molecules, i.e. this interaction leads to the excitation of the atom and the detachment of individual electrons (negatively charged particles) from the atomic shells. As a result, deprived of one or more electrons, the atom turns into a positively charged ion - primary ionization occurs. AI includes electromagnetic radiation (gamma radiation) and flows of charged and neutral particles - corpuscular radiation (alpha radiation, beta radiation, and neutron radiation).

alpha radiation refers to corpuscular radiation. This is a stream of heavy positively charged a-particles (nuclei of helium atoms), resulting from the decay of atoms of heavy elements such as uranium, radium and thorium. Since the particles are heavy, the range of alpha particles in matter (that is, the path along which they produce ionization) turns out to be very short: hundredths of a millimeter in biological media, 2.5-8 cm in air. Thus, a regular sheet of paper or an outer dead layer of skin is capable of retaining these particles.

However, substances that emit alpha particles are long-lived. As a result of ingestion of such substances into the body with food, air or through wounds, they are carried throughout the body by the blood stream, deposited in the organs responsible for the metabolism and protection of the body (for example, the spleen or lymph nodes), thus causing internal exposure of the body . The danger of such internal exposure of the body is high, because. these alpha particles create a very large number of ions (up to several thousand pairs of ions per 1 micron path in tissues). Ionization, in turn, causes a number of features of those chemical reactions that occur in matter, in particular, in living tissue (the formation of strong oxidants, free hydrogen and oxygen, etc.).

beta radiation(beta rays, or a stream of beta particles) also refers to the corpuscular type of radiation. This is a stream of electrons (β-radiation, or, more often, simply β-radiation) or positrons (β+-radiation) emitted during the radioactive beta decay of the nuclei of some atoms. Electrons or positrons are formed in the nucleus during the transformation of a neutron into a proton or a proton into a neutron, respectively.

Electrons are much smaller than alpha particles and can penetrate deep into the substance (body) by 10-15 centimeters (compare with hundredths of a millimeter for alpha particles). When passing through a substance, beta radiation interacts with the electrons and nuclei of its atoms, spending its energy on this and slowing down the movement until it stops completely. Thanks to these properties, it is sufficient to have an appropriate thickness of an organic glass screen for protection against beta radiation. The use of beta radiation in medicine for surface, interstitial and intracavitary radiation therapy is based on the same properties.

neutron radiation- another type of corpuscular type of radiation. Neutron radiation is a stream of neutrons (elementary particles that do not have an electric charge). Neutrons do not have an ionizing effect, but a very significant ionizing effect occurs due to elastic and inelastic scattering on the nuclei of matter.

Substances irradiated by neutrons can acquire radioactive properties, that is, receive the so-called induced radioactivity. Neutron radiation is produced during the operation of elementary particle accelerators, in nuclear reactors, industrial and laboratory installations, during nuclear explosions, etc. Neutron radiation has the highest penetrating power. The best for protection against neutron radiation are hydrogen-containing materials.

Gamma radiation and X-rays are related to electromagnetic radiation.

The fundamental difference between these two types of radiation lies in the mechanism of their occurrence. X-ray radiation is of extra-nuclear origin, gamma radiation is a product of the decay of nuclei.

X-ray radiation, discovered in 1895 by the physicist Roentgen. This is an invisible radiation that can penetrate, albeit to varying degrees, into all substances. Represents electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of the order from - from 10 -12 to 10 -7. The source of X-rays is an X-ray tube, some radionuclides (for example, beta emitters), accelerators and accumulators of electrons (synchrotron radiation).

The x-ray tube has two electrodes - cathode and anode (negative and positive electrodes respectively). When the cathode is heated, electron emission occurs (the phenomenon of electron emission by the surface of a solid or liquid). The electrons emitted from the cathode are accelerated by the electric field and hit the anode surface, where they are abruptly decelerated, resulting in X-ray radiation. Like visible light, X-rays cause blackening of photographic film. This is one of its properties, the main thing for medicine is that it is a penetrating radiation and, accordingly, a patient can be illuminated with its help, and since. tissues of different density absorb X-rays in different ways - then we can diagnose many types of diseases of internal organs at a very early stage.

Gamma radiation is of intranuclear origin. It occurs during the decay of radioactive nuclei, the transition of nuclei from an excited state to the ground state, during the interaction of fast charged particles with matter, annihilation of electron-positron pairs, etc.

The high penetrating power of gamma radiation is due to the short wavelength. To attenuate the flow of gamma radiation, substances are used that have a significant mass number (lead, tungsten, uranium, etc.) and all kinds of high-density compositions (various concretes with metal fillers).

What is radiation? How dangerous is radiation?

Radiation is a form of energy that comes from a specific source and travels through space. Sources can range from the sun, earth, rocks, to cars.

The energy they generate is commonly referred to as ionization radiation. Ionizing radiation is produced by unstable atoms, which have both energy and mass greater than stable atoms and can therefore cause damage.

Radiation can travel through space in the form of particles or waves. Particle radiation can be easily blocked by clothing, while wave radiation can be deadly and it can also pass through concrete.

Radiation is measured using Geiger counters and in the form of Sieverts (μSv).

How dangerous is radiation?

Each person receives a certain amount of radiation every day. Walking in the sun, getting an X-ray, going for a CT scan, going on a flight.

The problem is not radiation. The real issue is the amount of radiation or, in other words, the levels of radiation a person receives.

On average, a person receives 10 µSv per day and 3,600 µSv per year. A normal 5-hour 30-minute flight gives a dose of 40 µSv, while X-rays give a dose of 100 µSv.

All of these indicated doses are acceptable to the human body, but anything above 100,000 μSv can lead to disease and even death.

The risk of cancer increases the moment a person passes the 100,000 µSv level, and levels above 200,000 µSv are fatal.

Exposure to radiation

Radiation can damage the tissues of the human body, leading to burns, cancer, and even death.

Even high levels of sun exposure can cause sunburn as ultraviolet rays are a form of radiation.

A deeper note: radiation weakens or destroys the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of the human body, causing an imbalance in the cells.

The imbalance then increases cell damage or kills them to the point where this process gives rise to life-threatening diseases such as cancer.

Children easily develop high levels of radiation because their cells are not strong enough to withstand the threat of radiation.

Incidents in the past, when radiation levels crossed the dreaded 200,000 µSv, noted for example in , and , have resulted in infant mortality and cancer.

What is alpha radiation and what is its danger?

Alpha radiation, also known as alpha decay, is a kind of radioactive decay in which the nuclear core discharges the alpha molecule and thus changes with a mass number that decreases by four and a nuclear number that decreases by two.

Alpha radiation is difficult to detect and measure. Even the most common devices, such as the CD V-700, are unable to detect alpha particles until beta radiation is received along with it.

High-tech devices capable of measuring alpha radiation require a professional training program, otherwise the layman will not be able to figure it out.

Moreover, since alpha radiation does not penetrate, it cannot be detected or measured by any device, even through a meager layer of water, blood, dust, paper, or other material.

There are two types of radiation: ionizing/non-ionizing and alpha radiation, which are classified as ionizing.

Ionizing is not as dangerous as non-ionizing due to the following reasons: alpha radiation cannot penetrate the skin, and materials with alpha emissions can only be harmful to humans if materials are inhaled, ingested or penetrated through open wounds.

Otherwise, alpha radiation will not be able to penetrate clothing.

What is beta radiation and what are its effects?

Beta radiation is the radiation that occurs when radioactive decay begins to release radioactive particles.

It is non-ionizing radiation and moves in the form of waves. Beta radiation is considered dangerous because it has the ability to penetrate any solid material such as walls.

Exposure to beta radiation may have delayed effects on the body such as cell growth or cellular damage.

Since the effects of the introduction of beta radiation are not rapid, and there is no real way to find out whether the contact caused the aggressive impact, problems may appear after a few years.