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Short refresher on ionising radiation and health

Radiation Poisoning, Sickness (Radioactivity) Symptoms | Health Articles, 28 June 2010, Radiation can simply be divided into ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Radioactive materials are a source of ionizing radiation because they emit particles (particulate radiation) and waves that can penetrate certain substances. There are three types of ionizing radiation that is of concern in terms of a person’s health :

• Alpha particles which have a low penetrating power. These particles can be stopped by a sheet of paper.
• Beta particles which have a medium penetrating power. These particles can be stopped by certain metals and plastics like perspex.
• Gamma rays which have a high penetrating power. These rays can be stopped by lead and thick layers of concrete…….

Exposure to radiation either causes contamination or irradiation. Contamination means that a substance had made contact with a radioactive material and has retained some of it. Irradiation on the other hand means that you have been exposed to radiation yet not contaminated with the radioactive material.In terms of nuclear power plants and x-ray machines, the public concern is about irradiation rather than contamination. Workers, however, will be concerned about both contamination and irradiation. Even if a person is not exposed to these radioactive materials, the effects of irradiation with large doses of radiation can be detrimental to one’s health. However, it depends on the dosage and period of exposure as well as the type of radiation that will determine the dangers of radiation exposure.

Radiation Poisoning, Sickness (Radioactivity) Symptoms | Health Articles

June 28, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, health | antinuclear, cancer, nuclear, nuclear secrecy, nuclear wastes, nuclear weapons, radiation, radioactive, uranium