Radioactive radiation, its types and danger to humans

Radioactive radiation is divided into different types. Their main similarity is that they are all high-energy, exhibit a biological effect of ionization effects, followed by chemical reactions in the structures of living cells that lead to their death. Our sense organs do not perceive ionizing radiation: we do not see it, do not hear and do not feel the impact on our body.

Radioactive radiation consists of charged and uncharged particles, as well as quanta. The people of the world meet them daily. First of all, this radiation background, which consists of three components:

- cosmic radiation coming to Earth from outer space;

- radiation from natural radionuclides of building materials, air and water;

- radiation from natural ionizing substances that enter our body with food and water, are fixed by tissues and accumulate in the human body for life.

Man, in addition, is exposed to artificial radiation, which is widely used in the national economy. In the field of medicine, for example, ionizing radiation is used very widely.

Radioactive radiation and its types

In order to effectively protect against ionizing radiation, it is necessary to know its types and properties well. Radioactive radiation can be divided into two main groups: electromagnetic and corpuscular.

X-ray and g-radiation are referred to a wide range of electromagnetic waves, they are located behind radio waves, light and ultraviolet rays. They differ only in wavelength. The shortest wavelength and, correspondingly, the highest frequency of electromagnetic oscillations in the spectrum of electromagnetic waves belongs to g- and x-ray radiation. At a shorter wavelength, the radiation energy is higher, as is the penetrating power.

The sun is the source of x-rays, which are partly absorbed by the earth's atmosphere. They are also generated by some devices (accelerators) for diagnosing patients.

Gamma radiation occurs during nuclear reactions and the decay of radioactive substances. It easily passes through the human body.

Beta radiation is the flow of electrons and positrons, its particles have an elementary negative (electron) or positive (positron) charge. They arise during radioactive decay in the nuclei of atoms and are emitted from there. Can penetrate through water at a layer thickness of 1-2 cm. When irradiated with beta particles on exposed skin areas, radiation burns form, and if ingested with food, air and water, irradiation occurs in the body and leads to serious radiation damage.

Alpha radiation is the flow of positively charged heavy particles, which are heavier than beta particles at 7300 times. These particles are emitted at the time of radioactive decay of some elements, but with a large ionizing ability penetrate into the tissues of the human body to a shallow depth, damaging only the surface of the skin. A plain sheet of paper protects against their effects.

Neutrons are not carrying a charge of a particle, however, in an emergency situation they play an essential role, possessing a powerful penetrating ability. Materials that contain hydrogen (paraffin, polyethylene) are protected from neutron radiation.

Biological effect of radioactive radiation

All measures that protect against ionizing effects are based on knowledge of the properties of a particular type of radiation, their penetrating power.

Radioactive radiation affects the body as follows.

• Ionizing radiation is tricky in that it does not feel at all. Dosimetric instruments are original additional organs that are designed to perceive radiation.
• Explicit lesions of the skin, malaise, characteristic of radiation sickness, do not appear immediately, but only after a while; The radiation doses are summarized secretly.