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Radiation exposure is a measure of the ionization of air due to ionizing radiation from photons. [1] It is defined as the electric charge freed by such radiation in a specified volume of air divided by the mass of that air. [1] As of 2007, "medical radiation exposure" was defined by the International Commission on Radiological Protection as ...
Acute radiation syndrome (ARS), also known as radiation sickness or radiation poisoning, is a collection of health effects that are caused by being exposed to high amounts of ionizing radiation in a short period of time. [1] Symptoms can start within an hour of exposure, and can last for several months. [1][3][5] Early symptoms are usually ...
Radiation is often categorized as either ionizing or non-ionizing depending on the energy of the radiated particles. Ionizing radiation carries more than 10 electron volts (eV), which is enough to ionize atoms and molecules and break chemical bonds. This is an important distinction due to the large difference in harmfulness to living organisms.
Exposing skin to infrared radiation near visible light (IR-A) leads to increased production of free radicals. [41] Short-term exposure can be beneficial (activating protective responses), while prolonged exposure can lead to photoaging. [42] Another important factor is the distance between the worker and the source of radiation.
Nuclear fallout is the distribution of radioactive contamination by the 520 atmospheric nuclear explosions that took place from the 1950s to the 1980s. In nuclear accidents, a measure of the type and amount of radioactivity released, such as from a reactor containment failure, is known as the source term.
Radiation protection, also known as radiological protection, is defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as "The protection of people from harmful effects of exposure to ionizing radiation, and the means for achieving this". [1] Exposure can be from a source of radiation external to the human body or due to internal irradiation ...
A nuclear and radiation accident is defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as "an event that has led to significant consequences to people, the environment or the facility." Examples include lethal effects to individuals, large radioactivity release to the environment, or a reactor core melt. [ 6 ]
The global average exposure of humans to ionizing radiation is about 3 mSv (0.3 rem) per year, 80% of which comes from nature. The remaining 20% results from exposure to human-made radiation sources, primarily from medical imaging. Average human-made exposure is much higher in developed countries, mostly due to CT scans and nuclear medicine.