Warning of the Invisible Killer - Radiation Damage Protection Knowledge

Author: Zhang Shengnian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features: What are the hazards of ionizing radiation to the human body? After the human body is exposed to a certain dose of ionizing radiation, it can produce various harmful biological reactions to health. Acute radiation sickness is caused by the action of high-dose radiation on the human body in a short period of time, as described on page 18. Whole-body irradiation exceeding 1 gray can cause acute radiation sickness, while local high-dose irradiation can produce local acute radiation injury, such as temporary or permanent infertility, temporary reduction in white blood cells, hematopoietic disorders, skin ulcers, and developmental stagnation. Acute radiation injury is very rare in peacetime, occurring only due to accidental incidents in the nuclear industry and radiation therapy, or during nuclear weapon attacks. Chronic radiation sickness is caused by prolonged exposure to a certain dose of radiation. Long-term whole-body exposure to excessive internal and external irradiation can lead to chronic radiation sickness; long-term continuous exposure to excessive local irradiation can cause chronic damage, such as chronic skin damage, hematopoietic disorders, impaired fertility, and cataracts. Chronic injuries are common among radiological workers, primarily characterized by neurosis syndrome, accompanied by changes in hematopoietic systems or organ functions, often with a common reduction in white blood cells. Radiological diseases have been designated as occupational diseases, and corresponding national diagnostic standards have been established.
Embryos and fetuses are more sensitive to radiation. Exposure during the pre-implantation stage can increase the mortality rate before birth; exposure during the organ formation stage can increase the incidence of deformities; exposure during the fetal stage can increase the occurrence rate of developmental disorders such as microcephaly and intellectual retardation. Therefore, special requirements are imposed on women of childbearing age and pregnant women in terms of protection.
Radiation may cause cancer and genetic damage. Among the exposed population, the incidence of various cancers such as leukemia, lung cancer, thyroid cancer, breast cancer, and bone cancer increases with the dose of radiation received. Radiation may cause gene mutations and chromosomal abnormalities in germ cells, increasing the incidence of various genetic diseases in the offspring of the exposed individuals.
When discussing the harm of radiation, we must consider three conditions: the magnitude of the dose, the part of the body exposed, and whether the exposure is acute or chronic.