What are the effects of nuclear radiation on humans?

Exposure to very high levels of radiation, such as being close to an atomic blast, can cause acute health effects such as skin burns and acute radiation syndrome (“radiation sickness”). It can also result in long-term health effects such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.

How does the radiation from radioisotopes cause damage to human tissue?

“Radiation damages cells by breaking chromosomes in DNA. This usually causes the cell to die. DNA can be repaired, but if the repair is incorrect, it could cause mutation which could lead to cancer later on”.

Which of the following are common symptoms of radiation sickness?

The initial signs and symptoms of treatable radiation sickness are usually nausea and vomiting….Possible symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Headache.
• Fever.
• Dizziness and disorientation.
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Hair loss.
• Bloody vomit and stools from internal bleeding.

Is there pain after radiation treatment?

While most people feel no pain when each treatment is being delivered, effects of treatment slowly build up over time and may include discomfort, skin changes, or other side effects, depending on where in the body treatment is being delivered.

What happens to radioisotopes in the body?

Radioisotopes typically have short half-lives and typically decay before their emitted radioactivity can cause damage to the patient’s body. Therapeutic applications of radioisotopes typically are intended to destroy the targeted cells. Today diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using radioactive isotopes are routine.

What are symptoms of exposure to radiation?

Possible symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Headache.
• Fever.
• Dizziness and disorientation.
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Hair loss.
• Bloody vomit and stools from internal bleeding.

What is the difference between heat treatment and irradiation?

It has been also postulated that when irradiation is done in the absence of air, enhanced killing is observed during heat treatment. According to Kim and Thayer (1996), irradiation causes DNA damage, whereas heat causes membrane destabilization.

Does the object become radioactive during irradiation?

The process of irradiation does not cause the irradiated object to become radioactive. These beams are aimed at the tumour from many different directions to maximise the dose on the tumour but to minimise the dose on the surrounding soft tissue.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of irradiation?

The advantages of food irradiation (process safety, reduction of chemical use, and improved quality and safety of foods) over other food preservation techniques such as canning, freezing, or chemical treatment far outweigh the drawbacks – a slight reduction in nutrients (vitamins) (18). Though the levels of consumer acceptance vary among countries]

Why is there a lack of awareness of food irradiation?

Even though the benefits and safety of food irradiation have been scientifically documented, public awareness of such information has been limited. Consumers consequently reject food irradiation due to consumer confusion over what food irradiation is (16).