The Risks Associated with Ionized Radiation - Research Paper Example

AR Ionized Radiation 5/29 Ionized Radiation Introduction In the medical world it is necessary to examine the body of an individual internally and for this purpose several methods have been proposed. X-rays are commonly used to inspect the internal structures of a human body like bones cartilages etc. X-rays are rays which are a type of radiant energy and can pass through a human body unlike ordinary light. This feature of passing through bodies is the main feature of the rays which produces an image on a TV or a computer (RadiologyInfo 2010). ‘Ionizing radiation’ is a form of radiation which has the power to ionize molecules or atoms. X-rays, Computed Tomography and nuclear medicine scans are examples of ionizing radiation. X-rays are being used for imaging procedures in the scientific world today. They can show the structures of bones, cartilages and even lungs. CT scan can show elaborated pictures of the structures inside the body such as blood vessels, lungs, bones, brain etc. Nuclear medicine scans use radioactive material to carry out the test. This radioactive material is then used to detect changes inside the body through the energy that it emits (Diagnostic Imaging Pathways). It has been long known that these imaging methods pose some threat to the internal functioning of the human body. These threats or effects have been termed to be deterministic or stochastic. By deterministic it is meant that the effects of ionizing radiation may increase if the dosage is above the threshold level. And by stochastic it is meant that the probability of the effect is directly proportional to the dosage given. This essay would further tell about the benefits and risks of ionizing radiation with a conclusion as to if it is beneficial to use the radiation or not. Risks It is said that the amount of radiation which is used during this imaging techniques is necessary to be measured so that it can be seen as to how much radiation an individual can bear. It is divided into three doses accordingly named absorbed dose, Equivalent dose and Effective dose. Absorbed dose is defined as the energy given off by radiation which is absorbed per unit mass of tissue. Equivalent dose is the absorbed dose of a tissue multiplied by the tissue weighting factor. And lastly effective dose is the addition of all the equivalent doses of the tissues. It tells about the risk which is posed to the patient through the radiation used onto him (Diagnostic Imaging Pathways). As mentioned above different kinds of radiation can have different harmful effects onto the human beings. X rays were discovered in 1895 by William Conrad Roentgen which proved to be a major breakthrough in the history of radiology. Ever since then these x-rays have been used to perform different tests on human beings. The harmful effects were not known in 1895 but gradually the risk posed by the rays became known by 1896 when a British Medical Journal reported about the physical effects. The individuals who helped in developing the technique suffered from many physical effects due to the rays and one of them even died in 1911 (Dr. Christine Reek 2004). It has become known that ionizing radiation can cause minor mutation in the cells of the body but these effects are not prominent enough until when a person is exposed to high doses of radiation. At times these mutations are also known to cause cancers. Low dose x-rays and CT scans do not pose greater risk on the patients. In other methods such as Nuclear medicine scans and PET scans it is known that the material used is slight and this it also does not cause much distortions. There are many types of ionizing radiation named alpha, beta, neutrons, gamma and X-rays. Alpha beta and neutrons are classified as particulate radiations whereas gamma and X-rays are electromagnetic waves. Alpha particles are made up of two protons and two neutrons which do not possess much of the penetrating power as they are blocked by skin or a thin piece of paper. These alpha particles can therefore be a cause of health risks as they cannot pass out from a localized area. Beta particles are stronger than alpha and can pierce the skin but cannot go much further. These beta particles can also prove to put the individual at risk because of their lower penetration energy. On the other hand the electromagnetic waves of X-rays and gamma rays have extreme abilities of penetration because of which the whole body can be exposed to it. The damage caused by these waves depends upon the energy that they emit inside the body (Yoav Yehezkelli et al 2002). Radiation can also lead to the complex mutation of cells known as carcinogenesis. This effect is proved through increased rate of carcinogenesis in people who are exposed to intense radiation such as the survivors of atomic bomb or patients who have been exposed significantly to radiation. It is calculated that a dose of less than 1.0 gy can cause changes in the cells which may not appear immediately but after a certain span of time. These rays may then cause tumors. It is also known that some radioisotopes have the affinity to target specific organs such as the radioactive iodine which targets thyroid or plutonium which targets bones. (Yoav Yehezkelli et al 2002) The x ray equipment uses a very narrow collimated beam of light which has a very high intensity. If sensitive organs such as eye or skin are exposed to the primary rays, then it is possible that severe injury to these sensitive organs may occur. At times the problem can be so intense that it may even require amputation of certain parts of the body. Scattered radiation can also occur sometimes which can pose lesser risks to a patient than exposure to a primary beam (Appendix A: Radiation Hazards of Analytical X-Ray Equipment) Radiation dose is usually measured in terms of effective dose in the unit of millisievert (mSv). Risks are also posed to individuals who are exposed to x-rays when they are suffering from certain natural processes. Like in pregnancy these radiations can prove to be harmful to the child who will be born. Thus it is necessary for an individual to check up his patient before carrying out an x-ray test on a pregnant mother. It has been reported that some real radiation induced injuries have increased during the early 1990s. These radiation based injuries have harmed the skin of a patient sometimes so much that an ulcer of skin is caused. These injuries then require surgeries to be performed on the patients. Although the cases have occurred it is known that these cases could have been avoided with proper care and caution. The risks of these radiations are so profound that at times they can cause paralysis or death of organs immediately. But there are certain limits of organs according to which these x-rays should be emitted. Rays which are passed through sensitive organs such as eye can cause profound damage to the organ and hence these should be carefully managed. Thus it should be kept in mind when using x-rays on patients that certain doses are managed as per the organ being analyzed. In some individuals it is believed that this radiation also causes cancers but usually it is seen that these cases are of older individuals. These high doses of radiation are usually given to elder patients who have less chances of survival. But here it can be argued that life is prolonged for these elders through these processes which might eventually cause cancer. But somehow it would benefit the older individuals to prolong their lives. But if these high doses are given to children and middle aged adults then it is likely that mutation or cancer may yet again happen. In these cases it is recommended that some other alternative be taken as high doses of radiation can cause immediate mutations in these individuals which would only eradicate a primary disease but would cause other lethal diseases (C. Cousins, 2004). To conclude the effects of risks by radiation it can be said that these risks are only posed onto an individual if his body absorbs more than the prescribed limit of radiation. And these high doses can then lead to burns, dermatitis, cataract formation, infertility or impotency and genetical defects. All these effects should be kept in mind when performing these ionized radiation tests so that the patient does not have to suffer in the future (Marianne D. Woolgar 1968). Benefits of radiation The risks of radiation are high enough to discourage the health professionals from recommending it but in my view the benefits of it are even more fruitful. The risks of developing a cancer through radiation should not matter as it is because of this radiation that many of the present diseases are taken care of. It is because of these methods of radiation that complex surgeries are taking place these days. Aneurysms and blocked vessels can be unblocked through the usage of extensive radiation and can save a life (RadiologyInfo 2010). Nowadays it is known to everyone about the doses of radiation which can cause destruction in the body. The doctors know about these also and thus they take an action keeping in mind the threshold levels. It is because of these x-rays that many of the internal structures of the body can be seen (Diagnostic Imaging Pathways) Many articles have been written on this issue which tell the doctors and radiologists about the risks which these radiations can pose on the patients. "Requesting Imaging Investigations: General Principles" tells about the general principles to the radiologists and it can prove to be useful when exposing the patients to radiation (Diagnostic Imaging Pathways). In other words if these principles are followed it is possible that this becomes a safe process and does not cause any sort of pathology. Moreover it is these x-rays which help to tell a great deal about a patient’s health. At times the present disease is so hazardous that it is necessary to perform the procedures of radiation so that it can be known as to what exactly is the patient suffering from. If these methods are not undertaken in some cases it is possible that the patient would die. Hence it can be said these procedures are done for the current betterment of an individual irrespective of the future pathologies which may arise. In simple words it is better to cure the patient now then to let him die. In conclusion it can be said that ionized radiation is a successful form of curing individuals without which it would be impossible for a physician to know about the possible causes of the symptoms and signs. Until some successful form of managing pathologies is discovered, ionized radiation can be considered to be the best form in managing them irrespective of their major or minor risks (RadiologyInfo 2010). Precautions When using ionized radiation it is necessary that some precautionary measures are taken. In some laboratories it is seen that the workers are directly being exposed to radiations in their workplaces. But in these places certain measures are being taken which would ensure safety of the staff. Monitoring services are being carried out in these laboratories where instruments such as lead apron and thermo-luminescent dosemeter are being used. These help to know about the doses at which these workers are exposed so that their safety is ensured (Dr. Christine Reek). It is necessary that the x-ray equipment is managed and analyzed properly before carrying out the tests. The primary beam of x-ray is filtered to lower down the radiation to which the individuals are exposed. And these filters should be necessarily checked before operating the machines (Appendix A: Radiation Hazards of Analytical X-Ray Equipment). When carrying out the tests it is necessary that the amount of radiation to which the patient would be exposed is monitored so that it can be analyzed as to if it is matching the effective dose or not. All these measures would ensure successful ionized radiation therapy. Preventive measures are also taken as per the patients medical history. That is if the person has been continuously been exposed to ionized radiation then the doctor would be hesitant in performing tests of high doses of radiation on to him. This would make sure that the patient is not exposed to high doses of radiation which would be harmful to him (RadiologyInfo 2010) Nowadays new methods such as lead shields have been promoted which help to decrease the doses of radiation to which an individual is exposed. Thyroid shielding is one example of shielding being used nowadays to decrease the doses of radiation (Tomohiro Okano) Conclusion In my view radiography has potential risks and benefits altogether. But in my view the benefits of radiography are fruitful enough to let go off the risks when performing the tests. Without any alternative to radiography it becomes almost impossible for doctors to perform certain tests which are necessary in curing patients. Moreover the risks posed by radiography can also be minimized if certain preventive and safety measures are taken. Thus it is recommended that these safety measures are necessarily taken so as to reduce the risks of radiography and produce effective results of it. In conclusion it can be said that radiography is a successful process which should be still followed but with immense care so that the lives of patients are not affected. References Radiation Protection in Cardiac and Interventional Procedures Dr. Christine Reek University Hospitals of Leicester, United Kingdom. 2004 DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING PATHWAYS 26th May 2009 Top of Form Yehezkelli Y, Dushnitsky T, & Hourvitz A. (2002). Radiation terrorism--the medical challenge. The Israel Medical Association Journal : IMAJ. 4 (7), 530-4. Bottom of Form Appendix A: Radiation Hazards of Analytical X-Ray Equipment. www.asu.edu/radiationsafety/x-ray/appn_A.html RadiologyInfo 2010 Top of Form Cousins, C., & Sharp, C. (2004). Medical interventional procedures-reducing the radiation risks. CLINICAL RADIOLOGY -EDINBURGH-. 59 (6), 468-473. Bottom of Form Marianne D. Woolgar, Use and control of ionizing radiations, Non-Destructive Testing, Volume 1, Issue 5, August 1968, Pages 285-289, ISSN 0029-1021, DOI: 10.1016/0029-1021(68)90033-9. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B756V-481MXYG-8M/2/913e44a8a450e16f3df7cc4bf2afa7c1) Radiation dose and protection in dentistry Tomohiro Okano. ScienceDirect. Read More