Radiation Facts – Types of Radiation - radiation side effects  - Ionizing radiation

The discovery of radiation was a progressive history from the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Conrad Röentgen, through to the discovery of the radioactive nature of uranium by Henri Becquerel, and  the discovery of Marie Curie that only certain elements can emit subatomic particles when their atomic nuclei disintegrate. It was Marie Curie who originated the term radioactivity.

Radiation is the process in which energy is transmitted by a body that is travelling through space. Radiation involves energy travelling from a source linearly in all directions. Ionizing radiation, which usually occurs in radioactive decay, produces ions in matter and ionizes particles. Electromagnetic radiation is a type of ionizing radiation that does not depend in matter when it propagates. Particle radiation is also a type of ionizing radiation if it carries energy as it propagates.

Types of Radiation

Alpha radiation

Alpha radiation, which is also associated to alpha decay, involves a heavy and short-range particle. It cannot penetrate clothing and the human skin. It can be damaging when open wounds absorb it and when humans inhale or swallow it. It is not externally hazardous and it only travels for a short distance in air. Alpha radiation can be protected by paper or air. The elements that are alpha emitters are uranium, thorium, radium, and radon. The helium nucleus is an alpha particle.

Beta radiation

Beta radiation, which is also associated to beta decay, involves a light and short-range particle which is an electron. It can penetrate the human skin and it is harmful when taken in. Beta radiation can be protected by clothing and metal. The elements that are beta emitters include tritium, sulfur-35, and carbon-14.

Gamma radiation

Gamma radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation and it is the most ionizing among alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. It accompanies alpha and beta radiation. It is also called as penetrating radiation because it is able to penetrate almost all kinds of materials. It requires dense materials to protect from gamma radiation. The elements that are gamma emitters include iodine-131, cobalt-60, and radium-226.

Radiation Side Effects

Radiation causes many negative side effects that range from mild to fatal to the human body. It can cause permanent or temporary hair loss when exposed to radiation by at least 200 rems. It could also damage the brain and cause seizures because it damages nerve cells and blood vessels. Too much intake of it can also damage the thyroid but iodide can be taken in to lessen the amount of exposure. It could also cause heart failure and intestinal tract damage that can lead to bloody vomiting and diarrhea. Too much exposure of radiation could also cause skin cancer and other uncommon medical illnesses and even premature aging. Exposure to radiation by at least 2,000 rems can lead to death.

It is recommended that a person should limit exposure to radiation by 100 millirems every year from any source to keep away from the negative health effects that can be caused by too much radiation exposure.

Ionizing radiation

Radiation is widely used today in medical treatment especially if the ailment involves cancerous tumor. Radiation therapy, which is also interchangeably known as radio therapy and radiation oncology, is a type of ionizing radiation that is used to treat cancer and non-malignant conditions.

The discovery of radiation was a progressive history from the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Conrad Röentgen, through to the discovery of the radioactive nature of uranium by Henri Becquerel, and  the discovery of Marie Curie that only certain elements can emit subatomic particles when their atomic nuclei disintegrate. It was Marie Curie who originated the term radioactivity.

Radiation is the process in which energy is transmitted by a body that is travelling through space. Radiation involves energy travelling from a source linearly in all directions. Ionizing radiation, which usually occurs in radioactive decay, produces ions in matter and ionizes particles. Electromagnetic radiation is a type of ionizing radiation that does not depend in matter when it propagates. Particle radiation is also a type of ionizing radiation if it carries energy as it propagates.

Types of Radiation

Alpha radiation, which is also associated to alpha decay, involves a heavy and short-range particle. It cannot penetrate clothing and the human skin. It can be damaging when open wounds absorb it and when humans inhale or swallow it. It is not externally hazardous and it only travels for a short distance in air. Alpha radiation can be protected by paper or air. The elements that are alpha emitters are uranium, thorium, radium, and radon. The helium nucleus is an alpha particle. 

Beta radiation, which is also associated to beta decay, involves a light and short-range particle which is an electron. It can penetrate the human skin and it is harmful when taken in. Beta radiation can be protected by clothing and metal. The elements that are beta emitters include tritium, sulfur-35, and carbon-14. 

Gamma radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation and it is the most ionizing among alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. It accompanies alpha and beta radiation. It is also called as penetrating radiation because it is able to penetrate almost all kinds of materials. It requires dense materials to protect from gamma radiation. The elements that are gamma emitters include iodine-131, cobalt-60, and radium-226.

Radiation causes many negative side effects that range from mild to fatal to the human body. It can cause permanent or temporary hair loss when exposed to radiation by at least 200 rems. It could also damage the brain and cause seizures because it damages nerve cells and blood vessels. Too much intake of it can also damage the thyroid but iodide can be taken in to lessen the amount of exposure. It could also cause heart failure and intestinal tract damage that can lead to bloody vomiting and diarrhea. Too much exposure of radiation could also cause skin cancer and other uncommon medical illnesses and even premature aging. Exposure to radiation by at least 2,000 rems can lead to death. It is recommended that a person should limit exposure to radiation by 100 millirems every year from any source to keep away from the negative health effects that can be caused by too much radiation exposure.

Radiation is widely used today in medical treatment especially if the ailment involves cancerous tumor. Radiation therapy, which is also interchangeably known as radio therapy and radiation oncology, is a type of ionizing radiation that is used to treat cancer and non-malignant conditions.