Types Radiation can be:
Alpha rays (a) These rays consist of material particles which have two positive charge units and four units of mass. They are slightly deflected by the action of strong magnetic forces. Can ionize the gas and penetrate the area. Are arrested or absorbed when placed before them a metal blade. Initial velocity varies from 109 cm. / S to 2 x 109 cm. / S.
Beta rays (b) The particles that make up the Beta rays are of lower mass than the alpha rays are negatively charged unit. Are projected at high speeds, although this depends on its source and are sometimes issued at a speed approaching that of light (3 × 1010 cm. / S).
Gamma (g) Its nature is different from alpha and beta rays, since they do not experience diversion by electric fields and / or magnetic. Despite having a shorter wavelength X-rays, act as an electromagnetic radiation of the same nature. Can pass through layers of lead and goes to great distances in air. Its nature is to wave and has no electric charge or mass. Your ability to ionization is weaker compared to alpha and beta rays.
It is undeniable that radiation affects organisms. The can sicken or heal. Can be managed like any medicine, or have lethal effects. Depends on how you use.
We know that the ionization that occurs may lead to chemical transformations in the field. If living matter, these changes necessarily interfere with vital functions of cells receiving radiation. Moreover, as some radiation can penetrate the body, such effects may occur in organs or cells of very different functions.
For a point of comparison, consider a sun burn sun's rays, especially the ultraviolet in the skin produce effects that we all know, once we have felt the sting of a burn from exposure to the sun too long. Is due to chemical changes induced in the skin, which may even kill the cells, as we have all experienced the skin break off useless. Now the skin is designed to support these effects, then, when damaged, can easily be replaced by new cells which in turn assume the vital role of protecting the rest of the body. Ionizing radiation that penetrate the body can cause damage equivalent to the tissues, but not only the skin, but the entire body. Such damage can be permanent if they occur in organs that do not regenerate, as the brain.
The effects of radiation produced in organisms have been classified into four groups: those that cause cancer, genetic mutations, the effects on the embryo during pregnancy and burns excessive exposures. The first two groups usually occur when the doses are small, but prolonged. The third in a stage of life where the organism is particularly sensitive to be reproduced in their cells at an accelerated pace. The fourth case in accidents or nuclear explosions. There have been many studies on how each of these cases occur under different circumstances.
The radioactive leak at the plant in Fukushima has alarm bells ringing about the implications in the health of people, because the Japanese government has acknowledged that the leak can cause severe damage to the village, including the development of various types cancer. In addition, experts also fear that can reach the food chain.
Not only the danger of radioactivity is inhaled through the lungs, but also may come to food if it rains.
In this case, precipitation would cause "the radioactively contaminated soil and water, which also affect the animals and crops," says Rafael Herranz, head of Radiation Oncology at the Hospital Gregorio Maranon de Madrid.
What is the impact on health?
The higher the level of radiation, and the longer exposure, the greater the risk, experts say. The most common cancers that often develop long-term in these cases are the thyroid, bones or leukemia.
The radioactivity causes them to break the links between the atoms and molecules that make up our tissues. At this point, the body responds by trying to repair the damage, but is sometimes so severe that it is impossible. The most vulnerable areas of the body are the cells lining the intestine and stomach, and blood-producing cells in the spinal cord.
Cancer risk is greater in the long term. Normally when the cells reached their expiry date, they die, but cancer cells lose this ability and continue to divide uncontrollably.
In addition to cancer, radioactivity is dangerous because it can also lead to changes or mutations in DNA that can then lead to cancer. Furthermore, these changes may inherit the children, leading to deformities in future generations, such as heads or brains smaller, poorly formed eyes, slow growth or learning difficulties.
Immediate symptoms
Exposure to radiation can cause different symptoms, experts say. The most immediate, hours, include nausea and vomiting, which can then be followed by diarrhea, headaches and fever.
After a while, the symptoms subside and there is no apparent disease. However, after a few weeks other symptoms more serious internal damage to organs.
It also affects reproduction. In this case, affects women more than men, because sperm are regenerated every 90 days while the eggs are in the ovaries a lifetime.
Risk in children
Without embargio, the most vulnerable are children and fetuses, since they are in a growth phase, and cells are dividing continuously.
While the human body can repair DNA changes, only if these repairs are produced faster than it takes the mutated cells to replicate, the person would be safe.
In the case of minors, their cells are multiplying at a faster rate than adults, so that the experts agree that the risk is higher.
Treating radioactivity
To help prevent radioactivity there are two measures: the evacuation and iodine uptake. In this regard, according to Dr. Herrera, "Japan has reacted very well and is carrying out the measures provided for in these cases, evacuation and prophylaxis."
Experts agree that the administration of potassium iodide is the best way to mitigate the effects of radioactivity on the population, it increases the production of white blood cells to counteract the damage that can occur in the spinal cord, thus reduce turn, produced other major infections.
Herranz warned that "we must maintain those standards at least five days, though radiation depends on the age of the people."
To prevent radioactive contamination, the Japanese authorities have advised people to discard their clothes and shoes and wash your skin with soap and water.
Not only the danger of radioactivity is inhaled through the lungs, but also may come to food if it rains.
In this case, precipitation would cause "the radioactively contaminated soil and water, which also affect the animals and crops," says Rafael Herranz, head of Radiation Oncology at the Hospital Gregorio Maranon de Madrid.
What is the impact on health?
The higher the level of radiation, and the longer exposure, the greater the risk, experts say. The most common cancers that often develop long-term in these cases are the thyroid, bones or leukemia.
The radioactivity causes them to break the links between the atoms and molecules that make up our tissues. At this point, the body responds by trying to repair the damage, but is sometimes so severe that it is impossible. The most vulnerable areas of the body are the cells lining the intestine and stomach, and blood-producing cells in the spinal cord.
Cancer risk is greater in the long term. Normally when the cells reached their expiry date, they die, but cancer cells lose this ability and continue to divide uncontrollably.
In addition to cancer, radioactivity is dangerous because it can also lead to changes or mutations in DNA that can then lead to cancer. Furthermore, these changes may inherit the children, leading to deformities in future generations, such as heads or brains smaller, poorly formed eyes, slow growth or learning difficulties.
Immediate symptoms
Exposure to radiation can cause different symptoms, experts say. The most immediate, hours, include nausea and vomiting, which can then be followed by diarrhea, headaches and fever.
After a while, the symptoms subside and there is no apparent disease. However, after a few weeks other symptoms more serious internal damage to organs.
It also affects reproduction. In this case, affects women more than men, because sperm are regenerated every 90 days while the eggs are in the ovaries a lifetime.
Risk in children
Without embargio, the most vulnerable are children and fetuses, since they are in a growth phase, and cells are dividing continuously.
While the human body can repair DNA changes, only if these repairs are produced faster than it takes the mutated cells to replicate, the person would be safe.
In the case of minors, their cells are multiplying at a faster rate than adults, so that the experts agree that the risk is higher.
Treating radioactivity
To help prevent radioactivity there are two measures: the evacuation and iodine uptake. In this regard, according to Dr. Herrera, "Japan has reacted very well and is carrying out the measures provided for in these cases, evacuation and prophylaxis."
Experts agree that the administration of potassium iodide is the best way to mitigate the effects of radioactivity on the population, it increases the production of white blood cells to counteract the damage that can occur in the spinal cord, thus reduce turn, produced other major infections.
Herranz warned that "we must maintain those standards at least five days, though radiation depends on the age of the people."
To prevent radioactive contamination, the Japanese authorities have advised people to discard their clothes and shoes and wash your skin with soap and water.
Fukushima radioactivity
The radioactive leak at the plant in Fukushima has alarm bells ringing about the implications in the health of people, because the Japanese government has acknowledged that the leak can cause severe damage to the village, including the development of various types cancer. In addition, experts also fear that can reach the food chain.
effects of radioactivity in Japan
THE PROCESS OF RADIOACTIVITY In this process, the nuclei of atoms of elements decay with formation of new nuclei that correspond to new elements and release energy.
In 1896 Henry Becquerel (French physicist), accidentally discovered the process of radioactivity, which can be natural (in the nuclei of atoms of volatile elements) and artificial (in the nuclei of atoms of elements that need stable being bombarded with particles).
Natural radioactivity is the process whereby heavy and unstable nuclei of some radioactive materials disintegrate spontaneously and produce new nuclei of new elements and release energy.
It consists of artificial radioactivity in the breakdown of stable atomic nuclei through the slightly accelerated particle bombardment, giving rise to new kernels that correspond to new elements.
Rutherford did in 1919, the first artificial transmutation, by bombarding with alpha particles, nitrogen atom cores.
In 1898, the Curies dedicated to the study of the radiation observed by Becquerel (physical) discovered two new radioactive elements: polonium and radium, characterized by:
-Ionized gases
-Impress photographic plates
-"Origination flashes of light in certain substances.
