Risks and Side Effects of Ionising and Non-Ionising Radiation

Ionising radiation is a type of energy that can cause mutations in cells. These mutations might result in the development of cancer, which is why there are regulations in place for the use of such radiation in medical applications.
A well-known risk of ionising radiation is radiation sickness, which results from exposure to a large amount of radiation in a short period. Symptoms can include nausea, loss of appetite, infection due to damaged immune system, skin damage, and in severe cases, death.
Non-ionising radiation is generally considered less harmful than ionising radiation as it doesn’t typically have enough energy to ionise atoms and molecules. However, it could still pose potential health risks if exposure is sufficiently high.
Overexposure to non-ionising radiation (like UV radiation) can cause burns, cataracts, and skin cancer.
With both forms of radiation, the possibility of harm is proportionally related to the level and duration of exposure. Low levels of exposure over a long period might result in negative health effects, similar to high levels of exposure over a short period.
Both types of radiation can be harmful to human reproductive cells, potentially creating genetic mutations which can be passed on to future generations. Ionising radiation carries the risk of causing a greater variety of genetic defects.
It’s important for health professionals to minimise patient exposure to excessive radiation during imaging processes. They should use the ALARA principle which stands for “As Low As Reasonably Achievable” when using radiation in clinical practise.
The pros and cons of imaging procedures that involve exposure to ionising radiation must always be balanced. There are alternative imaging processes that use non-ionising radiation (like magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound), which should be considered when appropriate.
Pregnant women, in particular, need to be safeguarded from unnecessary exposure to limit potential harm to their unborn child.
Shielding and employing distance from sources of radiation are effective means of reducing unnecessary exposure for patients and healthcare workers alike.
Proper training and adherence to safety guidelines are key in mitigating the risks associated with the use of ionising and non-ionising radiation in medical applications.