Effect Of Radiation.
                     EFFECT OF RADIATION
2
Introduction
Certain body parts are specifically affected by 
exposure to different types of radiation sources. 
Several factors are involved in determining the 
potential health effects of exposure to radiation.
Source: www.atomicarchive.com
3
Important 
factor 
The most important factor is the amount of the 
dose - the amount of energy actually deposited in 
your body. The more energy absorbed by cells, 
the greater the biological damage. Health 
physicists refer to the amount of energy absorbed 
by the body as the radiation dose. 
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4
How much 
radiation is 
dangerous?
Radiation dosage can measured in various ways. Some of 
the units used are Grays, Sieverts, rems, and rads. They are 
used in a similar way, but 1 rad is equivalent to 0.01 Gray.
• Below 30 rads: Mild symptoms will occur in the blood
• From 30 to 200 rads: The person may become ill.
• From 200 to 1,000 rads: The person may become 
seriously ill.
• Over 1,000 rads: This will be fatal.
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Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of acute radiation 
poisoning are:
• vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea
• loss of appetite
• malaise, or feeling unwell
• headache
• rapid heartbeat
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Hair
The losing of hair quickly and in clumps occurs 
with radiation exposure at 200 rems or higher.
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Brain
Since brain cells do not reproduce, they won't be 
damaged directly unless the exposure is 5,000 
rems or greater. Like the heart, radiation kills 
nerve cells and small blood vessels, and can 
cause seizures and immediate death.
Source: www.atomicarchive.com
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Thyroid
Certain body parts are more affected by exposure 
to different types of radiation sources than 
others. The thyroid gland is susceptible to 
radioactive iodine. 
In sufficient amounts, radioactive iodine can 
destroy all or part of the thyroid. Taking 
potassium iodide can reduce the effects of 
exposure.
Source: www.atomicarchive.com
9
Blood System
When a person is exposed to around 100 rems, 
the blood's lymphocyte cell count will be reduced, 
leaving the victim more susceptible to infection. 
This is often referred to as mild radiation 
sickness. Early symptoms of radiation sickness 
mimic those of flu and may go unnoticed unless a 
blood count is done.
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Heart
Intense exposure to radioactive material at 1,000 
to 5,000 rems would do immediate damage to 
small blood vessels and probably cause heart 
failure and death directly.
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11
Reproductive 
Tract
Because reproductive tract cells divide rapidly, 
these areas of the body can be damaged at rem 
levels as low as 200. Long-term, some radiation 
sickness victims will become sterile.
Source: www.atomicarchive.com