Effects of Low Dose of Radiation - Research Paper Example

Effects of Low Dose of Radiation Introduction Radiation has always been an issue of concern, considering that it has been seen to cause a number of ill effects among those who have been subject to higher levels or dosage of radiation. This makes radiation control a concern. The goal of the bureau of radiation control or radiation protection is protecting the citizens of the Commonwealth from unnecessary exposure to radiation. (dep.state.pa.us). the importance of radiation protection becomes obvious on having witnessed nuclear radiation disasters that have claimed a large number of lives and have caused sever health risks. It has been agreed by all that nuclear radiation requires to be controlled as radiation can damage cells and the DNA inside them through its ionizing effect. (alternate-energy-sources.com). Radiation has a range of effects and needs to be kept under control and preventive measures are very important. One aim of radiation protection is to encourage and enable the radiation worker to limit his/ her exposure to potentially harmful radiation. A second and equally important aim is to limit unnecessary exposure of others which might result from poor working habits. (Noz & Maguire, 1995). Literature overview Radiation can have different effects on matter and have different properties. Radiation that is hazardous or the nuclear radiations have the property of ionization. Radiation can be of different types, alpha rays, beta rays, gamma rays, x rays and electromagnetic waves. (Sielde & Adams, 2002).They can penetrate particles or matter, some more than other radiation. The gamma rays are seen to be the most penetrative rays and are seen to cause more damage than other rays. These rays can cause damage to living cells and even cause other serious health hazards. However, we see that neutron rays are more penetrative than gamma rays or x-rays but do not cause as much damage, for they are neutral in nature. The neutron rays react weakly with matter and are matter unlike gamma rays, which are only radiation. There are different radiations that are resultant of nuclear reactions, which are alpha radiation, beta radiation, gamma radiation and neutron radiation. In a nuclear reaction where the element undergoes alpha decay, beta decay or spontaneous emission would be unstable, making it necessary to eliminate energy in the form of gamma rays. Gamma radiations are only forms of energy and do not have a structure. They are of the frequency 1018 Hz. They have no mass and no charge, just like electromagnetic waves. Gamma emitters are associated with alpha, beta, and positron decay. (physics.isu.edu). Alpha rays are made up of alpha particles that are positively charged, carrying two positive charge and beta particles carry single positive charge. Gamma rays and neutron rays carry no charge. Ionization causes the production of a positive ion and an electron. These ionizing radiations can have different effects on matter and living cells. The beta rays produce secondary electrons on passing through matter, which can also ionize in turn. These rays are usually decelerated on passing through matter, the lost energy being converted to x-rays. The increase in the radiation given out is directly connected to the speed of the electron and the atomic number of the matter that is subject to these rays. The intensity is dependant on the absorbing medium. In living cells, they can cause damage as they can have an effect on the DNA material. These characteristics can be seen in both alpha and beta rays. However, the effect of gamma rays can be different and they case more damage than other rays. The gamma rays do not ionize the particles or matter in its path like the alpha and beta rays but interact with matter in three different ways, the photoelectric effect, pair production or the Compton Effect. In this case, the reaction continues, meaning that every scattered electron during the process continues to move with lesser energy, forming a new path of its own. In the case of neutrons, the neutron that collides with matter becomes a recoiling proton. This proton then ionizes in return. Finally, the neutron gets captured by a nucleus. This process is called as a neutron capture photon. The electrons that are negatively charged and the ions created due to the radiation that penetrates the matter can cause considerable damage to a living cell or tissue. In the case that the radiation is severe, the effects are visibly seen immediately. This leads to radiation poisoning, which can have very drastic effects on the tissue. On lower doses, there can be other side effects that can cause health concerns such as cancer. Many other long term problems may be caused due to the radiation as well. Research shows that high mortality rate has been recorded in those who have suffered from leukemia resulting form severe radiation exposure. (Cardis et.al, 1995). The absorbed dose is the energy imparted to matter by ionizing radiation per unit mass or irradiated material at the place of interest. (National Council on Radiation protection and measurement, 2009). The dose equivalent is a product of the absorbed dose and may be defined as quantity that expresses the irradiation incurred by exposed persons on a scale common to all radiation. Exposure limit may be defined as the allowed dosage of radiation that a person may be subject to. The ionizing radiation exposure limits for different substances vary and have been determined by the nuclear regulatory commission. (Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 1980). Safety precautions that need to be followed are very important, especially to those who may be continually subject to these radiations. It is necessary to wear shields and appropriate protection to prevent radiation poisoning and other ill effects. Protection measures include the use of radiation detectors so that radiation leaks may be detected immediately. Digital monitoring instrumentation can be of great help in preventing accidents that may occur in nuclear reactor facilities. The digital monitoring systems are similar to those of monitoring systems for other purposes and have input and output range, response time and accuracy. (National Research Council).This is an important aspect of radiation control and safety as leaks can have very bad effects if unnoticed. The safety measure that have been specified by the board includes, radiological protection from cutting operations, containment of radioactive substances and specific devices, environmental protection from radioactive waste processing and radiation leakage and chemical and toxicity hazards prevention. (Sneve and Kiselev, 2008, pg.102). The limit of effective dose that has been recommended by the ICRP is 20 mSv per year, averaged over five years, with the further provision that the effective dose should not exceed 50 mSv in a single year. Annual limits for eyes are 150 mSv and 500 mSv for the skin. (British Nuclear Energy Society, 1995). It is believed that low level radiations may not be very harmful. However, this has been contradicted by research, stating that low level radiation is not harmless, but has and will contribute to extensive sickness and death. (Mangano, 1999). This would make safety measures and precautionary practices even more important. Results Of the studies that have been made by researchers and scholars it becomes evident that radiation can have very strong effects on living tissue in particular, amongst other matter. The extent of radiation needs to be monitored as gamma rays in particular, which are most common in nuclear reactions, are very harmful. The gamma rays can penetrate tissue, causing effects such as radiation poisoning, cancer and even mutation in the cell structure or DNA. The measures that are recommended for protection against these radiations must necessarily be followed to reduce risks as much as possible. The dosage of radiation that workers in nuclear plants receive are inevitably higher than for others and it must be ensure that they are not subject to radiation levels more than acceptable as standards for life long dosage of radiation. The department of radiation protection is also responsible for the analysis of nuclear safety and radiation, coordination with state standards and approval of technical tasks that are to be carried out in regard to processes that result in the production of ionizing radiation. Discussion Based on the work of researchers and studies that have been conducted on the effects of radiation, their dosage and the ill effects, it becomes clear that the effects can be very harmful. Accidents in radiation exposure have been seen to be fatal, causing people in the area to suffer form long term illnesses and deformities caused due to mutation from radiation exposure. The safety measures that have been described in the work by Sneve and Kiselev are to be implemented compulsorily in all installations of nuclear reactors. The ionizing radiations can be extremely harmful in the case that the person is subject to dosages of radiation above the specified levels. When living tissue is subject to this radiation from within, it can cause higher levels of damage and increased risks. The research findings provide information on the extent of the damage that it can cause mutation, cancer and other terminal illnesses being among the effects. The dosage that has been prescribed by the ICRP and IAEA are regulatory standards which are constantly revised and need to be followed for the general heath and safety of all individuals that are subject to ionizing radiation. References alternate-energy-sources.com. Nuclear Radiation. Retrieved May 5, 2010 from http://www.alternate-energy-sources.com/nuclear-radiation.html British Nuclear Energy Society. (1995). Radiation dose management in the nuclear industry. Thomas Telford Cardis, E. et al. (1995). Effects of low dose and low dose rates of external ionizing radiation. Radiation Research. dep.state.pa.us. Bureau of Radiation Protection. Retrieved May 5, 2010 from http://www.dep.state.pa.us/brp/BRP_Info/BRP_Functional_Statement.htm Mangano, J.J. (1999). Low-level radiation and immune system damage: an atomic era legacy. Lewis Publishers. National Research Council. (U.S). (1997). Digital instrumentation and control systems in nuclear power plants. National Academy Press. National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement. (2009). Ionizing radiation exposure of the population of the United States. Library of Congress. Noz, M.E., and Maguire, G.Q. (2007). Radiation protection in the health sciences. World Scientific Publishing co ltd. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. (1980). Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. physics.isu.edu. Properties of radiation. Retrieved May 5, 2010 from http://www.physics.isu.edu/radinf/properties.htm Sneve, M. K., & Kiselev, M.F. (2007). Challenges in Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Regulation. Springer publications. Sielde, A.G.H, & Adams, L. (2002). Handbook of radiation effects. 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