Radiation injury (patient information): Difference between revisions
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'''What is radiation?''' | |||
Radiation is a form of energy. | |||
The unit for measurement of radiation released into the environment is "curies", while the amount of radiation a person receives is measured as "rem". | |||
'''What are the causes for radiation exposure?''' | |||
*People are constantly exposed to radiation both from natural sources (cosmic rays from the sun) and man-made sources including electronic equipment (microwave & television), medical sources (X-rays) and from nuclear weapon testing. However, the amount of radiation from the natural or man-made sources is usually small while a radiation emergency (such as nuclear power plant accident or a terrorist event), depending on the situation could expose people to small or large doses of radiation. | |||
*Scientists estimate that the average person in the United States receives a dose of about one-third of a rem per year. About 80% of human exposure comes from natural sources and the remaining 20% comes from man-made radiation sources – mainly medical x-rays. | |||
*Exposure levels in rem Dose: | |||
**One dental x-ray 4 = 15 mrem exposure | |||
**One chest x-ray = 10 mrem exposure | |||
**One mammogram = 70 mrem exposure | |||
**One year of exposure to natural radiation (from soil, cosmic rays, etc.) = 300 mrem exposure | |||
*'''Contamination''' refers to radioactive particles getting deposited anywhere that they are not supposed to be (as on an object or on a person’s skin). | |||
This contamination could be internal (taken into the body through breathing, eating, or drinking) or external (such as radiation energy penetrating the body). | |||
'''What are the effects of radiation?''' | |||
*The adverse health effects of radiation depends on the dose of radiation exposed. | |||
*[[Radiation sickness]] is acute exposure with a dose greater than 75 rads of penetrating radiation to the body in a short time (usually minutes). A characteristic set of symptoms occur in an orderly manner depending on the type,route and amount of radiation absorbed by the body. The earliest symptoms are nausea, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea. Hair loss, bleeding, swelling of the mouth and throat, and general loss of energy may follow. If the exposure has been approximately 1,000 rads or more, death may occur within 2 – 4 weeks. | |||
*Longer term exposure to radiation at low doses, produce serious radiation sickness by inducing cancer as the cell-cycle genes are mutated. | |||
'''How can I be prepared for radiation emergency?''' | '''How can I be prepared for radiation emergency?''' |
Revision as of 16:25, 17 March 2011
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
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Associate Editor-in-Chief: Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.; Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S.
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What is radiation?
Radiation is a form of energy. The unit for measurement of radiation released into the environment is "curies", while the amount of radiation a person receives is measured as "rem".
What are the causes for radiation exposure?
- People are constantly exposed to radiation both from natural sources (cosmic rays from the sun) and man-made sources including electronic equipment (microwave & television), medical sources (X-rays) and from nuclear weapon testing. However, the amount of radiation from the natural or man-made sources is usually small while a radiation emergency (such as nuclear power plant accident or a terrorist event), depending on the situation could expose people to small or large doses of radiation.
- Scientists estimate that the average person in the United States receives a dose of about one-third of a rem per year. About 80% of human exposure comes from natural sources and the remaining 20% comes from man-made radiation sources – mainly medical x-rays.
- Exposure levels in rem Dose:
- One dental x-ray 4 = 15 mrem exposure
- One chest x-ray = 10 mrem exposure
- One mammogram = 70 mrem exposure
- One year of exposure to natural radiation (from soil, cosmic rays, etc.) = 300 mrem exposure
- Contamination refers to radioactive particles getting deposited anywhere that they are not supposed to be (as on an object or on a person’s skin).
This contamination could be internal (taken into the body through breathing, eating, or drinking) or external (such as radiation energy penetrating the body).
What are the effects of radiation?
- The adverse health effects of radiation depends on the dose of radiation exposed.
- Radiation sickness is acute exposure with a dose greater than 75 rads of penetrating radiation to the body in a short time (usually minutes). A characteristic set of symptoms occur in an orderly manner depending on the type,route and amount of radiation absorbed by the body. The earliest symptoms are nausea, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea. Hair loss, bleeding, swelling of the mouth and throat, and general loss of energy may follow. If the exposure has been approximately 1,000 rads or more, death may occur within 2 – 4 weeks.
- Longer term exposure to radiation at low doses, produce serious radiation sickness by inducing cancer as the cell-cycle genes are mutated.
How can I be prepared for radiation emergency?
- Contact your community leaders and employers to learn about the the plan and possible evacuation routes during radiation emergencies.
- Develop your own emergency plan for your family.
- Prepare a family emergency kit which should include:
- Canned and packed food
- Bottled water
- Manual can opener
- A flashlight with extra batteries
- A portable radio with extra batteries
- A first-aid kit with essential prescription medications
- Paper towels, garbage bags, toilet paper and other personal items.
How can I protect myself in the event of radiation emergency?
- Tune to the local news station for information and instructions during any emergency.
- If there is release of large amount of radioactive particles into the environment as in nuclear explosion or a nuclear reactor accidents, you many be advised to evacuate or to stay indoors.
- If you are advised to stay indoors, you should do the following:
- All the doors and windows should be locked.
- Air conditioners, fans and heating units that bring in air from outside should be turned off.
- Fireplace dampers should be closed.
- Should be tuned to local news station or emergency response network further instructions.
- If you are advised to evacuate, follow the instructions provided by local officials and leave the area as quickly and orderly as possible and carry the emergency kit mentioned above.
Should I take potassium Iodide During a radiation emergency?
- Potassium Iodide should be taken in radiation emergency due to nuclear power plant accident or nuclear explosion.
- People those who are internally exposed to radiation containing radioactive iodine may develop thyroid diseases later in life such as cancers. Using potassium iodide in such events will decrease the risk of thyroid diseases.
- Some people may be allergic to potassium iodide and should consult a doctor for further guidance.