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Radium effects on body biology11/6/2023 ![]() ![]() They are often very energetic, but because of their large size they cannot travel very far before they lose this energy. The principal kinds of ionizing radiation are: Alpha particlesĪlpha (α) particles consist of two protons and two neutrons, and are positively charged. The energy of each kind of radiation is measured in electron volts (eV). Nuclear radiation arises from hundreds of different kinds of unstable atoms. This led on to harnessing the energy released by fission. Neutrons were identified in 1932, and in 1939 atomic fission was discovered by irradiating uranium with neutrons. This led to the identification of different kinds of radiation from the decay of atomic nuclei, and understanding of the nature of the atom. Many scientists then undertook study of these, and especially their medical applications. ![]() X-rays from a high-voltage discharge were discovered in 1895, and radioactivity from the decay of particular isotopes was discovered in 1896. This interaction between ionizing radiation and living tissue can cause damage. Radiation particularly associated with nuclear medicine and the use of nuclear energy, along with X-rays, is 'ionizing' radiation, which means that the radiation has sufficient energy to interact with matter, especially the human body, and produce ions, i.e. Many radionuclides exist in nature, but many are also created in different nuclear reactions, such as in stars or nuclear reactors a. As these unstable elements, known as radionuclides, decay, they often become a different element as well as release energy, which is measured in electron volts (eV). Radioactivity is the process of releasing energy, either by particles (α, β) or high-energy photons (γ, X-ray).Ī radioactive element is an element which can decay due to the aforementioned energy imbalance, a process which might take less than a second, or billions of years. There is a distinction to be drawn between radioactivity on the one hand, and radioactive elements on the other. By releasing radiation, elements go from one energy state to another which, eventually, will result in an element no longer being radioactive. The sources of radiation causing the greatest exposure of the general public are not necessarily those that attract the most attention."Īt its most fundamental level, radioactivity is a question of energy, and the desire for unstable elements to become stable. “We know more about the sources and effects of exposure to radiation than to almost any other hazardous agent, and the scientific community is constantly updating and analysing its knowledge. In a 2016 report the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) noted: As a result of many decades of research, the health impacts of radiation are very well-understood. Radiation constantly surrounds us as a result of naturally occurring radioactive elements in, for example, the soil, the air and the human body. Radiation plays a key role in modern life, be it the use of nuclear medicine, space exploration or electricity generation. Current radiation protection standards assume that any dose of radiation, no matter how small, involves a risk to human health. .The socio-economic and psychological impacts of radiation fears in the aftermath of nuclear accidents have caused considerable harm amongst exposed and non-exposed populations.Contrary to public perception, nuclear power accidents have caused very few fatalities and the use of nuclear energy does not expose members of the public to significant radiation levels.Radiation is a well-understood process, with natural sources accounting for most of the radiation we all receive each year. ![]()
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