Effects of Nuclear Radiation

Radiation was first detected by a French scientist Henry Becquerel, who was conducting an experiment with photographic plates. He found that elements like uranium, thorium and potassium emitted certain rays, which had an effect on the plates, making them foggy. However, the type of radiations and their effect on living beings, vary drastically. There are different sources of radiation. Some of it is inherent in the planet's atmosphere, and living beings have an in-built mechanism to deal with it. While other sources of radiation are activities like nuclear fission and fusion.

Radiation consists of three types of rays, each with a different capacity to penetrate bodies. These are alpha, beta and gamma rays. Radiation is not harmful in all cases. In fact, some types of radiations are unavoidable, like cosmic radiation which originates from stars. The Sun too, radiates cosmic energy produced by nuclear reactions on its surface, consisting of short wavelength emissions of electrons and neutrons. A lead object, one inch thick, can be easily penetrated by such radiations. Thus, you can have an idea about the effect, cosmic radiations can have on living beings. As you move upwards from the surface of the Earth, the effects of this radiation goes on increasing. Therefore, frequent fliers and astronauts are more exposed to cosmic radiation than others.

Harmful Effects

Overexposure to these radiations, can alter the DNA of animals by the ionizing effect, it produces. If the rate of ionization is significantly large, it can result in permanent damage of the tissues. Sunburn, melanoma or different types of cancers are caused by overexposure to nuclear radiations from the Sun or nuclear tragedies. Kinetic energy released due to the highly penetrating shock waves generated by a nuclear explosion or the use of nuclear weapons, triggers a thermal radiation. Burns, are the most immediate and primary effects of these radiations.

Thermal radiation is approximately 35-45% of the total energy released in a nuclear explosion or test. This is a sufficiently large quantity, to permanently alter the gene structure and introduce hereditary problems, as is evident from the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The subsequent generations were found to have several abnormalities. There is a parameter called radiation absorbed dose (rad), that gives an idea about the effects of radiation that bombards a human body. 50 to 150 rad causes alterations in the blood with symptoms like nausea, fatigue and vomiting. In case of exposure between 150-1100 rad amount, if not treated immediately, a victim may die in 30 days. For all levels above this, the central nervous system of the body fails, and loses control over all bodily functions, and death may occur in matter of few days or even hours.

Benefits

The following can be certain positive effects of radiation.

• Radio therapy (for treatment of cancers) and X-rays employ controlled exposure to radiation.
• Radio carbon dating is another application, where nuclear radiations are used to determine the properties and uses of several radioactive elements, and also determines the age of fossil samples.
• Level detectors, smoke detectors and leak detectors employ the use of radiation.
• Sterilization of medical equipment, food and detecting malfunctioning body parts can also be achieved through a limited exposure to radiation.

Radiation, like many other scientific discoveries, can be put to both constructive and destructive uses. It is the responsibility of humanity to use this powerful tool for the benefit of nature and all of its elements.