HEALTH HAZARDS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RAYS FROM MOBILE PHONE, RADIO, X- RAY SUN-RAYS AND OTHER SOURCES (Cont`d)

Continued: HEALTH HAZARDS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RAYS FROM MOBILE PHONE, RADIO, X- RAY SUN-RAYS AND OTHER SOURCES

What are the other biological effects of non-ionizing radiations?

Nonionizing radiation is harmless, however, at higher levels and longer durations of exposure, can be harmful. The classic example is sunlight or solar radiation. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun, part of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths less than 400 nm, can damage the skin. Sunburn (erythema) is the result of excessive exposure of our skin to UV radiation when we lack the protection of UV-absorbing melanin. Acute cellular damage causes an inflammatory-type response and increased vascular circulation (vasodilation) close to the skin. The increased circulation cause the redness and hot feeling to the skin. Lightly pressing on the skin pushes the blood away and the spot appears white. Darker-skinned people have an ongoing production of melanin, which protects them to some extent from UV radiation. In lighter-skinned people, UV radiation stimulates the production of melanin, producing a tan and protection against UV radiation. Extreme exposure can result in blistering and severe skin damage. UV radiation can also damage cellular DNA, and repeated damage can overwhelm the DNA repair mechanism, resulting in skin cancer. Skin cancer accounts for approximately one-third of all cancers diagnosed each year. Thinning of the atmospheric ozone layer, which filters UV radiation, is suspected as being one cause of the increased incidence of skin cancer.

Describe ionizing radiation

Ionizing radiation is higher-energy radiation, with enough energy to remove an electron from an atom and damage biological material

What are the uses of ionizing radiation?

Uses: nuclear power, medical x-rays, medical diagnostics, scientific research, cancer treatment, cathode ray tube displays.

What is the source of ionizing radiation?

Source: radon, x-rays, radioactive material producing alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, cosmic rays from the sun and space.

Recommended daily intake: none (not essential)

Absorption: interaction with atoms of tissue

Who are the sensitive individuals to ionizing radiation?

Children, developing organisms

What are health hazards of ionizing radiation?

Various health hazards include:

In general, ionizing radiation is harmful and potentially lethal to living beings but can have health benefits in radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer and thyrotoxicosis.

Most adverse health effects of radiation exposure may be grouped in two general categories:

·         deterministic effects (harmful tissue reactions) due in large part to the killing/ malfunction of cells following high doses; and

·         cancer and heritable effects involving either cancer development in exposed individuals owing to mutation of somatic cells or heritable disease in their offspring owing to mutation of reproductive (germ) cells.

Its most common impact is the stochastic induction of cancer with a latent period of years or decades after exposure. The natural background radiation is the most hazardous source of radiation to general public health, followed by medical imaging. Other effects of ionizing radiation are teratogenesis, cognitive decline, and heart disease.

High radiation dose gives rise to a temporary nuisance or a fatality. Examples are: radiation burns, and/or rapid fatality through acute radiation syndrome, chronic radiation syndrome, and radiation-induced thyroiditis.The biological effects are summarized as under:.

Biological Effects of Electro Magnetic Frequency (EMF) Radiation
Genetic Effects    Cancer    Cellular/molecular    Behavior changes    Nervous system/ brain    Blood brain barrier permeability    Calcium efflux    Impaired  learning	Cardiovascular effects    Sleeping disorders    Hormonal disturbances    Immune system    Metabolic effects    Brittle Diabetes    Autoimmunity    Fertility impairment    Interpersonal Effects

What are benefits of ionizing radiation?

Ionizing radiation has many industrial, military, and medical uses.

a)    Neutron radiation is essential to the working of nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons.

b)    The penetrating power of x-ray, gamma, beta, and positron radiation is used for medical imaging, nondestructive testing, and a variety of industrial gauges. 

c)    Radioactive tracers are used in medical and industrial applications, as well as biological and radiation chemistry.

d)    Alpha radiation is used in static eliminators and smoke detectors.

e)    The sterilizing effects of ionizing radiation are useful for cleaning medical instruments, food irradiation, and the sterile insect technique.

f)     Measurements of carbon-14, can be used to date the remains of long-dead organisms (such as wood that is thousands of years old).