Radiation encompasses a wide range of types, sources, and hazard risks. Additionally, radiation’s invisible nature and the complex science behind how it interacts with living tissues can make it challenging to understand. Learn more about what radiation is and the importance of radiation detection.

Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation

Radiation is energy that travels through space or matter. It comes in two principal forms: ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, creating ions. This process can break chemical bonds in important biological molecules, such as DNA and RNA, potentially leading to mutations, cell death, or cancer. In short, ionizing radiation can damage living tissue by altering cellular structures and interfering with normal cell function.

Non-ionizing radiation, on the other hand, doesn’t carry enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules. This category includes visible light, radio waves, and microwaves. Because these types of radiation cannot remove electrons from atoms or molecules, they do not pose the same degree of risk as ionizing radiation.

Sources of Radiation

There are many natural and human-made sources of radiation. Natural sources of ionizing radiation include cosmic rays from outer space, radon gas released from the earth’s crust, and even certain elements within our own bodies, like potassium-40. Human-made sources, on the other hand, include nuclear power plants and medical imaging equipment, such as X-rays and CT scans.

Non-ionizing radiation, while generally considered less harmful, emanates from numerous everyday sources. The sun is a major natural source, providing both visible light and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Artificial sources include mobile phones, radio and television broadcast stations, Wi-Fi routers, and microwave ovens, which all emit various types of non-ionizing radiation used for communication, cooking, and entertainment.

Health Effects of Radiation

Detecting ionizing radiation is important because this type of energy can damage living tissue. While low levels of radiation are a natural part of our environment, overexposure can lead to various health issues.

Here’s a summary of potential health effects:

• Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS): This occurs after receiving a high dose of radiation over a short period, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and skin burns.
• Cancer: Long-term exposure to ionizing radiation increases the risk of developing cancer, particularly leukemia, thyroid cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and skin cancer.
• Genetic damage: Ionizing radiation can cause mutations in DNA, which might not only affect the individual exposed but can also be passed on to future generations.
• Radiation burns and injuries: High doses can cause skin burns and acute injuries to internal organs.

The health effects of radiation depend on the type, dose, and duration of exposure. Radiation monitoring devices identify and quantify radiation levels in the environment or workplace, ensuring that they remain within safe limits to protect human health and safety.

Radiation is abundant in our environment, and ionizing radiation poses significant health risks for people who are overexposed. Whether the radiation comes from natural or human-made sources, radiation detectors help people manage their exposure. Purchase a radiation detector today to identify and quantify radiation in the environment and to monitor personal exposure.