What are the possible biological effects of radioactivity?
What are the possible biological effects of radioactivity?
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 disease.
What are the two types of biological effects of radiation?
Even though all subsequent biological effects can be traced back to the interaction of radiation with atoms, there are two mechanisms by which radiation ultimately affects cells. These two mechanisms are commonly called direct and indirect effects.
What are biological effects?
A biological effect is generally defined as the response of an organism, a population, or a community to changes in its environment (Walker et al., 2006).
What are the effects of radioactivity?
Radiation Effects on Humans
| Dose (rem) | Effects |
|---|---|
| 5-20 | Possible late effects; possible chromosomal damage. |
| 20-100 | Temporary reduction in white blood cells. |
| 100-200 | Mild radiation sickness within a few hours: vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue; reduction in resistance to infection. |
How does radioactivity affect a person?
Home / General Health / Radiation Effects on Humans. The harmful effects of radiation on humans range from nausea and headache, which are triggered when the exposure is mild, to something as severe as genetic mutation and death. Everybody knows that exposure to radiation can result in harmful effects on human health; courtesy, accidents like the Three Mile Island accident (1979) and the Chernobyl Disaster (1986).
What are the causes of radioactivity?
Radioactivity is caused when an atom, for whatever reason, wants to give away some of its energy. It does this because it wants to shift from an unstable configuration to a more stable configuration. The energy that is released when the atom makes this shift is known as radioactivity.
What are the long term effects of radiation?
Long-term side effects of radiation can include. persistent dry mouth/throat. swallowing dysfunction. increased risk of cavities or complications after dental procedures. stiffness or tanning of irradiated tissues. spinal cord or nerve damage – very rare. low thyroid.
What are the side effects to radioisotope?
The most common side effect from radioisotope therapy is a feeling of tiredness for a few weeks. Radioisotope therapy can treat a wide variety of cancers, including bone metastases, brain cancer, thyroid cancer, bile duct cancer, liver cancer, and neuroblastoma.