RADIATION HAZARDS

Tamanna Hooda
Roll no. 89

Tamanna Hooda
89

RADIATION

Radiation is a part of mans environment.The

sources of radiation to which man is exposed are
divided into two groupsNatural
1. Cosmic rays

Man made
1. Medical and
dental x rays and
radioisotopes

2. Environmental :
2.occupationala. Terrestrial
exposure
b. Atmospheric
3. Internal
a. potassium-40

3.Nuclear
radioactive fall out

TYPE OF RADIATION
Type of radiation

Approximate penetrating
ability into tissue

Alpha particles

0.05mm

Beta particles

0.06-40mm

Gamma rays

50 cm

X ray

15-30 cm

Cosmic rays

Some components very high

HOW IS RADIATION USED?

For the medical treatments the radiation are

used in two forms:
1. external beam radiation therapy
2. internal beam radiation therapy

EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION

THERAPY

It is a local treatment, meaning that the

radiation is aimed only at a specific part of your
body e.g. if you have lung cancer, you will get
radiation to your chest only and not rest of your
body.
Time between first and last radiation therapy is
called course of treatment.

INTERNAL RADIATION THERAPY

It is a form of treatment where a source of
radiation is put inside your body called a
brachytherapy.
It is used in form of ribbons or capsule, liquid
form.
Used in high dose of radiations to a smaller part
of body.
By drinking, swallowing a pill or through IV,
catheter.

Indications: patient with cancer of head, neck,

breast , uterus, cervix, prostrate, gall bladder,
esophagus, eye, lungs.
Liquid form is most commonly used in thyroid
cancer.
There are short term side effects and subsides
after radiation therapy.

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Side effects are problem that can happen as a
result of treatment,they may be of radiation
therapy such as high dose of radiation use to kill
cancer cells can also damage healthy cells in the
treatment area.
Skin problem such as dryness, itching and
peeling.
Fatigueness : it is different from normal fatigue
,it does not improve with rest.
Theses are short term side effects and subside
after radiation therapy.

SITE SPECIFIC SIDE EFFECTS

Head & Neck: dry mouth , difficulty in swallowing,

mouth & gum sores, stiffness in jaw, nausea.
Chest: shortness of breath, breast or nipple
soreness, shoulder stiffness.
Some patients feel fever, cough & fullness of chest
(Radiation Pneumonitis)
Stomach & abdomen: vomitting, diarrhoea.
Pelvis: rectal bleeding, incontinence, bladder
irritation, sexual problems in both men and
women.
Reproductive system may affect. Women may
have mentsrual stoppage (menopause). Infertility.

SIDE EFFECTS CNTD

MAXIMUM PERMISSABLE DOSE

The persons who are exposed to radiation should not

have the dose greater than upper limit and this limit is
called maximum permissible dose (MPD)or simply the
dose limit.
The MPD is different for occupationally exposed persons
and general public.
MPD include contributions from radiation source both
inside and outside the body but excludes contributions
from medical exposure and background radiations.
An area where a yearly whole body dose of 1.5 rem or
more should be considered as a controlled area.
Persons working in a controlled area should carry
personal monitors such as TLD, pocket ionisation
chamber etc.

PREVENTION
Although it is difficult to eradicate the total effects of radiation, it
can be minimized by employing some prevention schemies. These
are helpful to control the radiation hazards. Following are the
methods for the control of radiation hazards.
1)For the control of radiation hazards form external sources of
radiation, it can be done by:
Structural shielding design
Radiation protection survey
Nuclear Regulatory commision regulation
2) Hazards associated with radioactive nuclides deposited
internally are controlled by minimising the absorption, inhalation
and injection of radioactive material into the body.

3)Building of aircraft provide little protection from the cosmic rays

4)Applying basic safety standard (BSS) principle.

PREVENTION CNTD
5)Minimising unjustified particles such as
addition of radioactive materials to food,
beverages or cosmetics.
Use radioactive materials in toys and
jewellery
6) Reducing nuclear weapons testing and
radioactive waste from nuclear power station
7)Minimising the burning of coal
8)Reducing nuclear power industry in number
if possible. If not keeping them at separate
place from the public area.
9)By personal monitoring and performing
equipment survey in hospitals, power stations

DISCUSSION

The question of risk from radiation exposure is a

much debated topic of discussion.
The predominant risk is getting cancer.
The conservative approach is that there is a
linear no-threshold relationship between
exposure and risk.
Meaning there is no amount of radiation
exposure that is considered absent of risk &
greater the exposure, the greater the increase in
risk.

DISCUSSION CNTD

It is important to note that radiation exposure

doesnt create a unique cancer risk situation, nor
is the risk directly measurable or distinguishable
from the risk caused by other sources.
(environmental, chemical, biological, etc.)
Many agents of benefits of humanity have
associated risk. e.g. aspirin Likewise with
radiation, the risk of harm from radiation is
largely dependent upon factor such as size of
dose.

DISCUSSION CNTD

All cancers are not caused by radiations.

There are also many other chemicals & biological
agents present in minute quantities.
Most data that exists today regarding the risk of
cancer( or other effects) from radiation is based
on very high dose of radiation e.g. victim of the
atomic bombings of Hiroshima & Nagasaki.

CONCLUSION

Radiation therapy plays an important role in medical

sciences. It is useful in treatment of many diseases.
But still there are some things which force us to think
about its use & limitations.
A medical procedure involving radiation should be
done only when there is a appropriate medical reason
. E.g. X-ray, C.T. scan, etc.
X- ray should be only of the affected area & using the
most dose-effective settings on the equipment.
The decision to have a medical test that involves
radiation must be made collectively between patient
and his/her physician.

THANK YOU