You are on page 1of 12

Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation

Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation


Photons or moving particles that have sufficient energy to knock electrons out of atoms / molecules These include x-rays, gamma rays, alpha particles, and beta particles. Harmful to humans because these can alter significantly the structure of molecules in cells.

Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation


The amount of biological Thedamage energy absorbed by depends on the type of ionizing tissues per unit mass. biological radiation. To make a comparison, we (Gy) = 1 J/kg, but SI Unit = gray use...

the unit most often used is the rad = 0.01 Gy = 0.01 J / kg.

Dose of 200 keV x - rays to produce a certain biological effect RBE Dose of radiation that produces the same biological effect

Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation


Type of Radiation 200 keV x-rays gamma rays beta particles protons alpha particles slow neutrons fast neutrons RBE 1 1 1 10 10-20 2 10 A 200 Gy dose of x-rays does the same amount of damage as a 20 Gy dose of fast neutrons.

Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation


The RBE is often used in conjunction with the absorbed dose to give the Biologically Equivalent Dose (BED) in rems. BED = AD RBE Source of Radiation BED (mrem/yr)

cosmic rays 28 This reflects the damage-producing character of the radiation. earth & air 28 internal nuclei (C, K) 39 inhaled radon ~200
consumer products medical diagnostics nuclear medicine 10 39 14 360

Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation


For the kinds of low doses of radiation that we receive every day, cells can usually repair the damage. At higher doses (up to 100 rem), the cells may not be able to repair the damage they are either damaged or dead. Dead cells do not matter since they can be replaced. Damaged cells may produce abnormal

cells when they divide. Under the right circumstances, these cells can become cancerous. This is the origin of our increased risk of cancer due to radiation exposure.

Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation


At even higher doses, the cells cannot be replaced and tissues fail to function. > 100 rem whole body Radiation Sickness...intestinal damage, nausea, ...but with adequate general safety measures weaknes in place, no one is expected to receive more than 5 rem in a body year. So, the real risks we need >300 rem whole to consider are the long term system ones... damage immune >400 rem whole body no medical attention will result in death for 50 % of people in this condition within 60 days >1000 rem whole body vascular damage and death for 100 % of people

Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation


What about non-ionizing radiation?
Type of Radiation effects

UV visible microwaves very long waves

chemical changes heating more heating molecular changes?

...not the same kind of damage that ionizing radiation does...

Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation


How much will radiation exposure increase my chances of death from cancer? betterUS way to look risks is by the number The A current death rateat from cancer is 20 %. of days lostof toevery an average life in20 a population... So, out 100 people of them, through random You can dodie thefrom same thing with risks on the job: processes will cancer. smoking 20 cigarettes per day 6 years 15industries % overweight 21 years all 60 days If I take 10 000 people and expose them to rem to their alcohol US consumption) 1 year agriculture 320 days whole body, (average eight additional people will get cancer, so all accidents 207 days construction 2272008 days statistically we would expect around cancer deaths. natural/hazards 7 days mining quarrying 167 days occupational mrem/yr) 15 days manufacturing 40 days If the exposure is dose over (300 the course of a year, then there will occupational dose (1cases. rem/yr) 51 days be only 2 to 4 additional

Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation


Receiving 10 mrem of radiation will cause death for one in one million persons. This same rate is achieved by...
smoking 1.4 cigarettes eating 40 tablespoons of peanut butter spending 2 days in New York City (air pollution) driving 40 miles in a car flying 2500 miles in a jet canoeing for 6 minutes

Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation


So what about nuclear power?
US public exposure from nuclear power is < 0.1 mrem/yr coal burning power plant 0.165 mrem/yr x-rays from TVs 0.500 mrem/hr airplane ride (39 000 ft) 0.500 mrem/hr nuclear power plant site 0.600 mrem/yr natural gas in your home 9 mrem/yr Three Mile Island event 80 mrem/event at the plant

Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation


So, how do I minimize my risk?

minimize time of exposure maximize your distance from the source

You might also like