There are studies that keep track of groups of people who have been exposed to radiation, including atomic bomb survivors and radiation industry workers. For example, a 1% excess risk of cancer incidence is the same as a 1 in a hundred (1/100) risk or a risk of 0.01. Risk may be expressed as a percent, a fraction, or a decimal value. Radiation risk may refer to all excess cancers caused by radiation exposure (incidence risk) or only excess fatal cancers (mortality risk). Learn about protecting yourself from radiation.Įxposure to low-levels of radiation does not cause immediate health effects, but can cause a small increase in the risk riskThe probability of injury, disease or death from exposure to a hazard. View CDC Fact Sheet: Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS). Acute radiation syndrome is rare, and comes from extreme events like a nuclear explosion or accidental handling or rupture of a highly radioactive source. This level of radiation would be like getting the radiation from 18,000 chest x-rays distributed over your entire body in this short period. The international equivalent is the Gray (Gy). unit used to measure absorbed radiation dose (the amount of radiation absorbed by an object or person). One gray is equal to 100 rads. (75 rad) rad)The U.S. It takes a very high radiation exposure to cause acute radiation syndrome-more than 0.75 gray grayA gray is the international unit used to measure absorbed dose (the amount of radiation absorbed by an object or person). This is known as acute radiation syndrome, commonly known as “radiation sickness.” Limiting cancer risk from radiation in the environmentĪcute Radiation Syndrome from Large ExposuresĪ very high level of radiation exposure delivered over a short period of time can cause symptoms such as nausea and vomiting within hours and can sometimes result in death over the following days or weeks.Acute radiation syndrome from large exposures.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for more information about possible health effects of radiation exposure and contamination. Exposure to low levels of radiation encountered in the environment does not cause immediate health effects, but is a minor contributor to our overall cancer risk. It can also result in long-term health effects such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Related information in Spanish (Información relacionada en español).Įxposure 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"). However, if the damage is not repaired correctly, a cell may die or eventually become cancerous. Fortunately, the cells in our bodies are extremely efficient at repairing this damage. has sufficient energy to affect the atoms in living cells and thereby damage their genetic material (DNA). Ionizing radiation can affect the atoms in living things, so it poses a health risk by damaging tissue and DNA in genes. Ionizing radiation Ionizing radiationRadiation with so much energy it can knock electrons out of atoms.
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