Investigating the Level of Radiation Hazard Awareness
Tapping alternative source of energy is one of the main concerns of the
developing world. Sustenance and new technology are among the targets of
continuous studies.
The use of radiation is one of the discoveries that would help people’s
lives. Radiation occurs when unstable nuclei of atoms decay and release.
However, there are different types of radiation. Radiation is present in our
everyday lives like cellphones, microwave oven and radio frequency. But, too
much exposure to radiation harms the body.
The unit of measurement used in radiation doses is the rem, or roentgen
equivalent in man. It represents the amount of radiation needed to produce a
significant damage on a living tissue. A dose of 25 rems causes some detectable
changes in blood count but doses near 100 usually have no immediate harmful
effect. Doses above 100 rems will cause the first signs of radiation sickness
including nausea, vomiting and headache. 300 rems or more cause significant
internal damage and develop disease such as cancer.
Numerous major radiation exposures had already happened in the human
history. One is the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing. Atomic bombs are dropped
in Japan during the World War II. Many casualties did not directly die from the
actual explosion but from radiation released as a result of the explosion. Delayed
effects from the radiation exposure sprung that ranges from cataracts, leukemia,
premature aging and malformed offspring.
The early scientists worked with radioactive substances did not realize the
risk in developing this kind of discovery. Although radioactive devices are mostly
used in improving the medicine field such as X-ray, it is still a big risk of using an
advanced technology but will eventually harm those who are overexposed to it.
Marie Curie, the scientist who discovered the isolation of radium from uranium
ore died of leukemia.
In 1920′s, watch dials were painted with radium based luminous paint.
Employees often licked their paint brushes to give a sharp point. Ingestion of
small quantity of radium in the paint resulted in bone tumors 8 to 40 years later.
Diagnosis and treatment of human diseases has improved over the years
through the use of radiation. Annually, more than 3, 600 million X-ray
examinations are performed worldwide, 37 million nuclear medicine procedures
are carried out and 7.5 million radiotherapy treatments are given.
Computer tomography or CT scan was first introduced in the seventies
and since then had a rapid growth in popularity because of its versatile imaging
applications that are used for diagnosis. In certain cases, some procedures are
conducted in a wide spectrum of pathological conditions. However, inappropriate
use or unnecessary radiation doses can lead to potential health hazards for the
patients and staff as well.
World Health Organization (WHO) has been alarmed by the increased
number of cases of diseases connected to radiation exposure. WHO has
launched the Global Initiative on Radiation Safety in Health Care in regards to
the safe use of radiation in medicine. This initiative aims to raise awareness by
providing radiation safety in medicine particularly by preventing unnecessary
medical radiation exposures.
World’s leading medical imaging societies representatives recommended
to set a global referral of guidelines for appropriate use of medical imaging.
Diagnostic imaging is widely used for an accurate diagnose of illnesses and
injuries.
CT scan where patients are exposed to high level of radiation exposure
has an alternative which is the magnetic resonance imaging or the MRI. It is safe
compared to CT scan. It provides sophisticated imaging techniques comparable
to CT scans. However, the problem with MRI is its availability and its cost.
Advances in technology and medicine should be versatile, affordable and
safe regarding the human health. Above anything else, the life is important than
sophisticated machines and discoveries.
Awareness on hazard of the inventions that could expose people to high
levels of radiation should be increased. It should not be taken for granted or else,
countless lives will be wasted.
References:
http://library.thinkquest.org
http://www.who.int
http://www.ispub.com
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