The simple mention of the word “radiation” often strikes fear in people. For others, it’s fun to think about it a bit. radiation Like the Hulk could turn you into the next superhero.
But is it true that basically everything around us is radioactive, even the food we eat? you must have heard Bananas are mildly radioactive, but what exactly does that mean? And despite our not being superheroes, are human bodies also radioactive? What is radiation?
Radiation is the energy that travels from one point to another in the form of waves or particles. We are exposed to radiation from various natural and artificial sources every day.
Cosmic radiation from the Sun and outer space, radiation from rocks and EarthAs well as the radioactivity in the air we breathe and in our food and water, all are natural sources of radiation.
Bananas are a common example of a natural radiation source. They contain high levels of potassium, and small amounts of it are radioactive. But there’s no need to give up banana Smoothie – The amount of radiation is very low, and much less than the natural “background radiation” that we are exposed to every day.
Medical treatments and X-rays in artificial sources of radiation, mobile phone and power lines. There is a common misconception that artificial sources of radiation are more dangerous than naturally occurring radiation. However, this is not true.
There are no physical properties that make artificial radiation different or more harmful than natural radiation. Harmful effects are related to the dose, not where the exposure comes from.
They contain high levels of potassium, and small amounts are radioactive (source: Pixabay)
What is the difference between radiation and radioactivity? The terms “radiation” and “radioactivity” are often used interchangeably. Although the two are related, they are not quite the same.
Radioactivity refers to an unstable atom that is undergoing radioactive decay. energy The radiation is released as the atom tries to reach stability, or becomes non-radioactive.
The radioactivity of a material describes the rate at which it decays, and describes the process(s) by which it decays. So radioactivity can be thought of as the process by which elements and materials try to become stable, and radiation as the energy released as a result of this process.
ionizing and non-ionizing radiation
Radiation can be classified into two types on the basis of energy level.
Ionizing radiation has enough energy to remove an electron from an atom, which can change the chemical composition of a substance. Examples of ionizing radiation include x-ray and radon (a radioactive gas found in rocks and soil).
Non-ionizing radiation has less energy but can still excite molecules and atoms, causing them to vibrate rapidly. Common sources of non-ionizing radiation include mobile phones, power lines, and ultraviolet rays (UV) from the Sun.
Is all radiation dangerous? not necessary
Radiation isn’t always dangerous—it depends on the type, strength, and how long you’ve been exposed to it.
As a general rule, the higher the energy level of the radiation, the greater the potential for damage. For example, we know that excessive exposure to ionizing radiation – eg, from naturally occurring radon gas – can damage human tissues and DNA.
We also know that non-ionizing radiation, such as UV rays from the sun, can be harmful if a person is exposed to sufficiently high intensity levels, causing adverse health effects such as burns, canceror blindness.
Importantly, because these threats are well known and understood, they are preventable. International and national expert bodies provide guidelines to ensure the safety and radiation safety of people and the environment.
For ionizing radiation, this means keeping the dose reasonably low above that of the natural background radiation – for example, using medical imaging only on the required part of the body, keeping the dose low, and avoiding repeat examinations. Maintaining copies of images.
There’s no need to give up your banana smoothie (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
For non-ionizing radiation, this means keeping the exposure below a safety threshold. For example, telecommunications equipment uses radiofrequency non-ionizing radiation and must operate within these safety limits.
Additionally, in the case of UV radiation from the sun, we know that exposure should be avoided by using sunscreen and clothing when the UV index reaches level 3 and above.
radiation in medicine
While radiation exposure involves obvious risks, it is also important to recognize the benefits. A common example of this is the use of radiation in modern medicine.
Medical imaging uses ionizing radiation techniques such as X-rays and CT scans, as well as non-ionizing radiation techniques, such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
This type of medical imaging technology allows doctors to see what is happening inside the body and often leads to an earlier and less invasive diagnosis. Medical imaging can also help rule out serious disease.
Radiation can also help treat certain conditions – it can kill cancerous tissue, shrink tumors, or even be used to reduce pain.
So is our body also radioactive? The answer is yes, like everything around us, we are a little radioactive. But it’s not something we need to be worried about.
Our bodies were built to handle small amounts of radiation – so the amount we are exposed to in our normal daily lives poses no threat. Just don’t expect this radiation to turn you into a superhero any time soon, because it’s definitely science fiction.
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