Another unit of radation is the rem, or roentgen equivalent in man. To convert rads to rems, the number of rads is multiplied by a number that reflects the potential for damage caused by a type of radiation. For beta, gamma and X-ray radiation, this number is generally one. For some neutrons, protons, or alpha particles, the number is twenty. Since brain cells do not reproduce, they won't be damaged directly unless the exposure is 5, rems or greater. Like the heart, radiation kills nerve cells and small blood vessels, and can cause seizures and immediate death.
Certain body parts are more affected by exposure to different types of radiation sources than others. The thyroid gland is susceptible to radioactive iodine.
In sufficient amounts, radioactive iodine can destroy all or part of the thyroid. Taking potassium iodide can reduce the effects of exposure. A developing fetus is highly susceptible to health effects from radiation exposure because of the rapid rate of cell division.
If possible, nursing mothers who were near the affected area should temporarily stop breastfeeding and switch to breast milk that was pumped and stored before the exposure or formula, until they can be seen by a doctor. Formula and feeding supplies should be cleaned with a damp cloth or clean towel. If no other source of food is available for your baby, continue to breastfeed.
Children are more likely to develop health effects from radiation exposure. Younger people have more cells that are dividing rapidly and tissues that are growing, and they have a longer lifespan ahead of them, giving cancers time to develop. It is especially important for children to follow protective action instructions and to seek medical attention after a radiation emergency as soon as emergency officials say it is safe to do so. Population monitoring begins after a radiation emergency and continues until all potentially affected people have been checked for radioactive contamination and evaluated for health effects from radiation exposure.
Population monitoring includes long-term tracking and medical follow-up for people who were exposed to high levels of radiation or contaminated with radioactive material. Population monitoring could go on for many years after the emergency. Emergency officials will be working to determine who may have been exposed to radiation. The best way to limit your exposure is to get inside, stay inside, and stay tuned.
If you were outdoors in an area when a radiation emergency happens, you could be contaminated with radioactive material.
Depending on where you were during the radiation emergency, emergency officials may advise you to get screened at a Community Reception Center CRC. At a CRC, emergency workers will use radiation detectors to look for any radioactive contamination.
A Community Reception Center, or CRC, may be set up by emergency officials after a radiation emergency to screen people for radioactive contamination. If contamination is found, radiation and medical experts can provide advice and further information. Radiation emergencies may be intentional e. Below are some examples of different types of radiation emergencies. Your community should have a plan in place in case of a radiation emergency.
Check with community leaders to learn more about the plan. At home, put together an emergency kit that would be appropriate for any emergency.
A battery-powered or hand crank emergency radio, preferably a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA weather radio is important to have for any emergency situation.
If your emergency radio uses batteries, keep extra batteries in your emergency preparedness kit. Bottled water and non-perishable foods are also important. Radiation is a form of energy that is naturally present all around us. Different types of radiation exist, some of which have more energy than others. Radioactive material is a substance that gives off radiation. Radiation comes in 2 forms—ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Non-ionizing radiation has less energy than ionizing radiation.
Its uses include lasers, microwaves, infrared lamps, and radio waves. The most energetic form of radiation is ionizing radiation which can be used to generate electric power, treat cancer, take x-rays and disinfect medical instruments. We are exposed to radiation every day, both from naturally occurring sources such as elements in the soil or cosmic rays from the sun , and man-made sources. CDC has developed resources to help response agencies prepare for and respond to a radiation emergency.
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Cancel Continue. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Top of the page. Topic Overview What is radiation? How much radiation is dangerous? For example: Someone who has had many CT scans starting at a young age is more likely to get cancer later in life than someone who hasn't had any or as many of these tests.
CT scans generally use more radiation than other X-ray tests. The risk of an adult getting cancer from a CT scan is less than 1 in 1, The risk of a child getting cancer from the same CT scan can be much higher. A person who has been exposed to large amounts of radiation from a nuclear explosion is more likely to get cancer than someone who has not been exposed. How do different sources of radiation compare? You may be exposed to more radiation than other people if you: Live at high altitude.
Have certain medical tests such as X-rays or CT scans or treatments such as radiation treatment for cancer. Are exposed to radon gas in your home. For example: You would need to go through a full-body airport scanner about 1, times to get the same amount of radiation that you would get from 1 chest X-ray. A hour plane flight is about the same exposure as 1 chest X-ray. One mammogram test is about the same as 5 chest X-rays. Living at high altitude such as in Calgary for a year is about the same as having 4 chest X-rays.
One CT scan is about the same as chest X-rays. What can you do to protect yourself?
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