Radiation and Risk: Ionising Radiations

Ionising radiation involves particles or waves that can remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, thus creating ions.
This type of radiation includes alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.
Alpha Particles: They are high-energy helium nuclei consisting of two protons and two neutrons. These are typically stopped by a sheet of paper or by human skin.
Beta Particles: These are high-energy electrons. They can penetrate more deeply than alpha particles, but thin sheets of metal can usually stop them.
Gamma Rays: Gamma rays are high-energy photons. They can penetrate most materials and need thick sheets of dense material like lead or concrete to block them.
Excessive exposure to ionising radiation can damage or kill living cells, leading to harmful effects on health such as radiation sickness, cancer, or genetic mutations.
Exposure to ionising radiation can be measured in units called Sieverts (Sv). High doses of radiation can be deadly, while low doses can increase the risk of cancer.
Foods and objects can be sterilized using ionising radiation, such as gamma rays, as they can destroy bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
Ionising radiation from natural sources (like the sun and radioactive materials) and artificial sources (like medical treatments and nuclear power plants) contribute to our ‘background radiation’ exposure.
Protection against ionising radiation includes time, distance, and shielding. Limiting time of exposure, increasing distance from the source, and using suitable shielding can reduce radiation risks.
Ionising radiation can be beneficial in certain situations, like medical imaging and cancer treatment.
In the living cells, ionising radiation can damage DNA molecules, leading to the death of the cell or causing it to multiply uncontrollably, which leads to cancer.
When a nuclear atom undergoes decay and ionising radiation is emitted, it results in a significant change in the atom itself. The decay, which occurs naturally, can result in a different element altogether or a different isotope of the same element.
Alpha and beta particles and gamma rays do not only have different ionising capabilities, but they also have varying abilities to penetrate the material, that needs to be remembered when considering the risks and safety precautions associated with them.
Living organisms have some natural defenses against the effects of ionising radiation, such as DNA repair mechanisms. Nevertheless, excessive exposure can overwhelm these defenses and cause harm.
Depending on the amount of exposure, symptoms of radiation sickness can occur, including nausea, hair loss, skin burns, or even more severe conditions like cancer or death.