Radiation Exposure

Radiation is energy that travels in the form of waves or high-speed particles. It occurs naturally in sunlight and sound waves. Man-made radiation is used in X-rays, nuclear weapons, nuclear power plants and cancer treatment.

If you are exposed to small amounts of radiation over a long time, it raises your risk of cancer. It can also cause mutations in your genes, which you could pass on to any children you have after the exposure. A lot of radiation over a short period can cause burns or radiation sickness. Symptoms of radiation sickness include nausea, weakness, hair loss, skin burns and reduced organ function. If the exposure is large enough, it can cause premature aging or even death. You may be able to take medicine to reduce the radioactive material in your body.

Environmental Protection Agency

External Resources

The Tokaimura Accident - Nuclear Energy and Reactor Safety - Lecture of the State University of New York. Provides background information, accident chronology, radiation exposure dose, aftermath and insights about the accident.

Landauer - Radiation dosimetry products and services to measure exposure to occupational and environmental radiation including X-ray, beta and gamma monitors, neutron badges, and radon gas detectors.

BUMC Cardiovascular Proteomics Center - The CPC is funded by the NIH/NHLBI to analyze protein variations caused by oxidative stress, a condition influenced by smoking, exposure to ionizing radiation, and other lifestyle and environmental processes. Includes related links at Boston, Massachusetts.

SEDAC: Stratospheric Ozone and Human Health Project - Data and resources in the areas of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, ozone, and human health impacts of UV exposure. UV radiation is known to be a significant risk factor for skin cancers, eye cataracts, and immune system suppression.

CIESIN Thematic Guide on Ozone Depletion - Overview of key concepts related to stratospheric ozone depletion, including the role of chlorofluorocarbons, health effects from increased exposure to UV-B radiation, environmental effects, and policies and responses.

AmphibiaWeb: Declining Amphibian Populations - Summarizes some of the evidence of climate change around the world. Describes direct effects such as phenology, decline and extinction, and indirect effects such as decreased immune function due to increased exposure of amphibian embryos to ultraviolet radiation.

Integrated Environmental Management - Informative primer on radon, its progeny, measurement and risks. Extensive information on radioactivity and radiation, exposure and risks.

NIOSH Occupational Energy Research Program - Research program on risks of occupational exposure to ionizing radiation.

U.S. EPA Radiation Protection Division - Information and educational materials. About radiological topics in general, plus EPA's activities in protecting the public and the environment from exposure, cleaning up radioactively contaminated sites, and participating in radiological emergency preparedness and response.

Health Effects of Ionizing Radiation - A comprehensive report from the Canadian Environmental Advisory Council on the biological effects of radiation. Genetic damage, latency of cancer, units of exposure, biological effectiveness of radiation.

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