How fast radiation spreads

Localized exposure may lead to changes in the skin, loss of hair, and possibly skin cancer. Exposure to certain parts of the body is more dangerous than others, for example, the intestines. Exposure to radiation can result from workplace exposure or an industrial accident, radiation therapy , or even deliberate poisoning, as in the case of the former Russian spy, Alexander Litvinenko, who was murdered in London by polonium placed in his tea.

However, this is extremely rare. Half of this comes from radon in the air, from the Earth, and from cosmic rays. The other half comes from medical, commercial, and industrial sources. Spread over a year, this is not significant in terms of health. Nuclear medicine is used to target the thyroid in people with a thyroid disorder. Other types of medical treatment include radiation therapy for cancer. Living at a higher altitude, for example, in the plateau of New Mexico and Colorado, increase exposure, as does traveling in an airplane.

Radon gas in homes also contributes. Food, too, contains small amounts of radiation. The food and water we drink is responsible for exposure to around 0.

Smokers have a higher exposure than non-smokers, as tobacco contains a substance that can decay to become polonium Astronauts have the highest exposure of anyone. They may be exposed to 25 rads in one Space Shuttle mission. Damage by radiation is irreversible. Once the cells are damaged, they do not repair themselves. Until now, there is no way for medicine to do this, so it is important for someone who has been exposed to seek medical help as soon as possible.

Possible treatments include :. Depending on exposure, radiation can affect the whole body. For cardiovascular, intestinal, and other problems, treatment will target the symptoms. The body fluids blood, sweat, urine of an internally contaminated person can contain radioactive materials. People who are externally contaminated can become internally contaminated if radioactive material gets into their bodies. Radioactive materials give off a form of energy that travels in waves or particles.

This energy is called radiation. When a person is exposed to radiation, the energy penetrates the body. For example, when a person has an x-ray, he or she is exposed to radiation. People who are externally contaminated can spread the contamination by touching surfaces, sitting in a chair, or even walking through a house. Contaminants can easily fall from clothing and contaminate other surfaces.

Homes can also become contaminated with radioactive materials in body fluids from internally contaminated people. Making sure that others do not come in contact with body fluids from a contaminated person will help prevent contamination of other people in the household. What are the treatments for acute radiation sickness? How can radiation exposure be prevented? There are steps you can take to prevent or reduce radiation exposure: If your health care provider recommends a test that uses radiation, ask about its risks and benefits.

In some cases, you may be able to have a different test that does not use radiation. But if you do need a test that uses radiation, do some research into the local imaging facilities. Find one that monitors and uses techniques to reduce the doses they are giving patients. Reduce electromagnetic radiation exposure from your cell phone. At this time, scientific evidence has not found a link between cell phone use and health problems in humans.

More research is needed to be sure. But if you still have concerns, you can reduce how much time you spend on your phone. You can also use speaker mode or a headset to place more distance between your head and the cell phone. If you live in a house, test the radon levels, and if you need to, get a radon reduction system. During a radiation emergency, get inside a building to take shelter. Stay inside, with all of the windows and doors shut.

Stay tuned to and follow the advice of emergency responders and officials. Environmental Protection Agency. Start Here. The tissues and organs showing high sensitivity include bone marrow leukemia , breasts, thyroid glands and lungs.

In contrast, there is no clear evidence that radiation causes cancer of the cervix or prostate. Some people are more sensitive to harmful effects of radiation than others. There are a number of factors that influence an individual's sensitivity to radiation. These factors include age, gender, other exposures and genetic factors. Age - In general, exposed children are more at risk than adults.

Breast cancer risk among women exposed to radiation is greatest among women who were exposed before age 20, and least when exposure occurred after menopause. Also, exposed children are at greater risk of radiation-induced thyroid cancer than adults. Gender - In women, the risk of breast and ovarian cancers from radiation is high, but there is no clear evidence that radiation causes breast or prostate cancers in men.

Females are also seen to have more radiation induced thyroid cancer than males. Other Exposures - Underground miners exposed to high levels of radon have increased risk of lung cancer, and those who smoke have an even greater risk.

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun following the use of x-rays to treat scalp ringworm conditions increases the risk of developing skin cancer in the area of the skin exposed to both types of radiation. Genetic Factors - Individuals with certain pre-existing genetic diseases have increased sensitivity to radiation, especially if they receive radiation therapy. For example, children genetically predisposed to cancer of the retina retinoblastoma and who are treated with radiation are at increased risk of developing bone cancer following treatment.

Patients with ataxia telangiectasia AT , a rare genetic disorder, are unusually sensitive to tissue damage from radiation therapy, but there is no clear evidence that they are at increased risk of radiation induced cancer. This means that if 1, people were exposed to 10 rem each, 8 would be expected to die of cancer induced by the radiation.

These deaths are in addition to about cancer deaths that result from other causes. If the 10 rem were received over a period of weeks or months, the extra lifetime risk could be reduced to 0.

These risk factors are average values for a population similar to that of the United States. These percentages are not precise predictions of risk, especially at low radiation doses and dose rates. At doses comparable to natural background radiation 0. The risk of increased cancer incidence is well established for doses above 10 rem. For low doses, it has not been possible to scientifically determine if an increased risk exists, but many scientists believe that small doses of radiation do lead to increased cancer risk, and that the degree of risk is directly proportional to the size of the dose.

Risk estimates from low doses are obtained by extrapolation from high dose observations. Because of the potential for harm from exposure to radiation, radiation protection programs are designed to protect both workers and the general public, their descendants and the environment, while still allowing society to benefit from the many valuable uses of radiation. Current radiation protection systems are based on the following principles:.

All users of radiation sources in New York State are regulated by state, federal and local government agencies. Users are required to implement radiation safety programs that reflect these principles. They are routinely inspected to assure that all operations are carried out safely. Exposure to indoor radon contributes a large portion of the total average dose. Measurements of radon in New York State homes made since have identified many areas with elevated indoor radon levels.

Exposure can be reduced by testing the home for radon and implementing measures to reduce radon levels, if necessary. For additional information on radon, its measurement and mitigation, contact the New York State Department of Health at Also, a person should receive only x-ray examinations that his or her health care provider thinks are truly necessary for an accurate diagnosis.

Alternative, non-x-ray tests should be used instead, if available. However, one should not refuse an x-ray examination that a doctor feels is necessary. Recent advances in molecular genetics and microbiology have increased our understanding of cancer development. It is hoped that further research will provide additional information on the risk of radiation-induced cancer and genetic effects, especially at low doses.

Absorbed Dose is the amount of radiation absorbed in matter measured in terms of energy per unit mass. The unit traditionally used for absorbed dose is the "rad," but a new unit called a "gray" has been introduced for international use and will eventually replace the rad. One gray equals rads. Alpha Particles are charged particles that are emitted from some radioactive materials such as radium and radon.

The electric charge and mass of the alpha particle are the same as those of the nucleus of a helium atom. As Low As Reasonably Achievable means making every reasonable effort to keep exposures to radiation as far below as practical the dose limits set in the regulations, taking into consideration the state of technology and other societal and economic considerations.

Atoms are the smallest particles of chemical elements that cannot be divided or broken up by chemical means. Each atom has a large nucleus that contains protons and neutrons, and carries a positive charge equal to the number of protons. Orbiting the nucleus are negatively charged electrons equal in number to the protons in the nucleus.

Background Radiation is radiation that results from natural sources. This includes cosmic radiation and naturally-occurring radioactive materials in the ground and the earth's atmosphere including radon. Beta Particle is a charged particle emitted from the nucleus of a radioactive material. Beta particles have an electric charge and mass that are equal to those of an electron.

Cosmic Radiation is radiation that originates in outer space and filters through the earth's atmosphere.