The danger of radiation for the human body. How to remove radiation from the body after an x-ray

Radiation acute or chronic poisoning, the cause of which is the action of ionizing electromagnetic radiation, is called radioactive exposure. Under its influence, free radicals and radionuclides are formed in the human body, which change biological and metabolic processes. As a result of radiation exposure, the integrity of protein and nucleic acid structures is destroyed, the DNA sequence changes, mutations and malignant neoplasms appear, and the annual number of cancer diseases increases by 9%.

Sources of radioactive radiation

The spread of radiation is not limited to modern nuclear power plants, nuclear power facilities and power lines. Radiation is found in all natural resources without exception. Even the human body already contains the radioactive elements potassium and rubidium. Where else does natural radiation occur:

1. secondary cosmic radiation. In the form of rays, it is part of the background radiation in the atmosphere and reaches the Earth's surface;
2. solar radiation. Directed flow of electrons, protons and nuclei in interplanetary space. Appear after strong solar flares;
3. radon. Colorless inert radioactive gas;
4. natural isotopes. Uranium, radium, lead, thorium;
5. internal irradiation. The most commonly found radionuclides in food are strontium, cesium, radium, plutonium and tritium.

People's activities are constantly aimed at searching for sources of powerful energy, durable and reliable materials, methods for accurate early diagnosis and intensive effective treatment of serious diseases. The result of long-term scientific research and human impact on the environment is artificial radiation:

1. nuclear power;
2. medicine;
3. nuclear tests;
4. Construction Materials;
5. radiation from household appliances.

The widespread use of radioactive substances and chemical reactions has led to a new problem of radiation exposure, which annually causes cancer, leukemia, hereditary and genetic mutations, decreased life expectancy and a source of environmental disasters.

Doses of dangerous radiation exposure

To prevent the occurrence of consequences that result from radiation, it is necessary to constantly monitor the background radiation and its level at work, in residential premises, in food and water. In order to assess the degree of possible damage to living organisms and the impact of radiation exposure on people, the following quantities are used:

• . Exposure to ionizing gamma and x-ray radiation in the air. It has the designation kl/kg (pendant divided by kilogram);
• absorbed dose. The degree of influence of radiation on the physical and chemical properties of a substance. The value is expressed in a unit of measurement - gray (Gy). In this case, 1 C/kg = 3876 R;
• equivalent, biological dose. The penetrating effect on living organisms is measured in sieverts (Sv). 1 Sv = 100 rem = 100 R, 1 rem = 0.01 Sv;
• effective dose. The level of radiation damage, taking into account radiosensitivity, is determined using sievert (Sv) or rem (rem);
• group dose. Collective, total unit in Sv, rem.

Using these conditional indicators, you can easily determine the level and degree of danger to human health and life, select the appropriate treatment for radiation exposure and restore the functions of the body affected by radiation.

Signs of radiation exposure

The damaging ability of the invisible is associated with the impact on humans of alpha, beta and gamma particles, x-rays and protons. Due to the latent, intermediate stage of radiation exposure, it is not always possible to determine in time the moment of onset of radiation sickness. Symptoms of radioactive poisoning appear gradually:

1. radiation injury. The effect of radiation is short-term, the radiation dose does not exceed 1 Gy;
2. typical bone marrow form. Irradiation rate - 1-6 Gy. Death from radiation occurs in 50% of people. In the first minutes, malaise, low blood pressure, and vomiting are observed. Replaced by visible improvement after 3 days. Lasts up to 1 month. After 3-4 weeks the condition worsens sharply;
3. gastrointestinal stage. The degree of irradiation reaches 10-20 Gy. Complications in the form of sepsis, enteritis;
4. vascular phase. Poor circulation, changes in blood flow speed and vascular structure. Blood pressure surges. The dose of radiation received is 20-80 Gy;
5. cerebral form. Severe radiation poisoning at a dose of more than 80 Gy causes cerebral edema and death. The patient dies from 1 to 3 days from the moment of infection.

The most common forms of radioactive poisoning are bone marrow and gastrointestinal damage, the consequences of which are severe changes in the body. Characteristic symptoms also appear after exposure to radiation:

• body temperature from 37 °C to 38 °C, in severe form the indicators are higher;
• arterial hypotension. The source of low blood pressure is a violation of vascular tone and heart function;
• radiation dermatitis or hyperemia. Skin lesions. Expressed by redness and allergic rash;
• diarrhea. Frequent loose or watery stools;
• baldness. Hair loss is a characteristic symptom of radiation exposure;
• anemia. Lack of hemoglobin in the blood is associated with a decrease in red blood cells, oxygen cellular starvation;
• hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver. Destruction of the structure of the gland and changes in the functions of the biliary system;
• stomatitis. The reaction of the immune system to the appearance of foreign bodies in the body in the form of damage to the oral mucosa;
• cataract. Partial or complete loss of vision is associated with clouding of the lens;
• leukemia. Malignant disease of the hematopoietic system, blood cancer;
• agranulocytosis. Decreased leukocyte levels.

Exhaustion of the body also affects the central nervous system. Most patients experience asthenia or pathological fatigue syndrome after radiation injury. Accompanied by sleep disturbances, confusion, emotional instability and neuroses.

Chronic radiation sickness: degrees and symptoms

The course of the disease is long. Diagnosis is also complicated by the mild nature of slowly emerging pathologies. In some cases, the development of changes and disorders in the body manifests itself from 1 to 3 years. Chronic radiation injuries cannot be characterized by one symptom. Symptoms of intense radiation exposure form a number of complications depending on the degree of exposure:

• light. The functioning of the gallbladder and biliary tract is disrupted, the menstrual cycle is disrupted in women, and men suffer from sexual impotence. Emotional changes and disturbances are observed. Associated symptoms include lack of appetite and gastritis. Treatable with timely consultation with specialists;
• average. People exposed to radiation poisoning suffer from vegetative-vascular diseases, which are expressed by persistent low blood pressure and periodic bleeding from the nose and gums, and are susceptible to asthenic syndrome. The average degree is accompanied by tachycardia, dermatitis, hair loss and brittle nails. The number of platelets and leukocytes decreases, problems with blood clotting begin, and the bone marrow is damaged;
• heavy. Progressive changes in the human body, such as intoxication, infection, sepsis, tooth and hair loss, necrosis and multiple hemorrhages result in death.

A long process of irradiation at a daily dose of up to 0.5 Gy, with a total quantitative indicator of more than 1 Gy, provokes chronic radiation injury. Leads to death from severe radioactive poisoning of the nervous, cardiovascular and endocrine systems, dystrophy and organ dysfunction.

Radioactive effects on humans

To protect yourself and your loved ones from severe complications and negative consequences of radiation exposure, it is necessary to avoid exposure to high amounts of ionizing radiation. To this end, it is better to remember where radiation is most often found in everyday life and how great its impact on the body is in one year in mSv:

1. air - 2;
2. food consumed - 0.02;
3. water - 0.1;
4. natural sources (cosmic and solar rays, natural isotopes) - 0.27 - 0.39;
5. inert gas radon - 2;
6. residential premises - 0.3;
7. watching TV - 0.005;
8. consumer goods - 0.1;
9. radiography - 0.39;
10. computed tomography - from 1 to 11;
11. fluorography - 0.03 - 0.25;
12. air travel - 0.2;
13. smoking - 13.

The permissible safe dose of radiation that will not cause radioactive poisoning is 0.03 mSv for one year. If a single dose of ionizing radiation exceeds 0.2 mSv, the level of radiation becomes dangerous for humans and can cause cancer, genetic mutations of subsequent generations, disruption of the endocrine, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems, and provoke disorders of the stomach and intestines.

Radiation is the flow of particles produced during nuclear reactions or radioactive decay. We have all heard about the danger of radioactive radiation for the human body and we know that it can cause a huge number of pathological conditions. But often most people do not know what exactly the dangers of radiation are and how they can protect themselves from it. In this article we looked at what radiation is, what its danger is to humans, and what diseases it can cause.

What is radiation

The definition of this term is not very clear to a person not connected with physics or, for example, medicine. The term “radiation” refers to the release of particles produced during nuclear reactions or radioactive decay. That is, this is radiation that comes out of certain substances.

Radioactive particles have different abilities to penetrate and pass through different substances. Some of them can pass through glass, the human body, and concrete.

Radiation protection rules are based on knowledge of the ability of specific radioactive waves to pass through materials. For example, the walls of X-ray rooms are made of lead, through which radioactive radiation cannot pass.

Radiation happens:

• natural. It forms the natural radiation background to which we are all accustomed. The sun, soil, stones emit radiation. They are not dangerous to the human body.
• technogenic, that is, one that was created as a result of human activity. This includes the extraction of radioactive substances from the depths of the Earth, the use of nuclear fuels, reactors, etc.

How radiation enters the human body

Acute radiation sickness

This condition develops with a single massive exposure to a person.. This condition is rare.

It can develop during some man-made accidents and disasters.

The degree of clinical manifestations depends on the amount of radiation affecting the human body.

In this case, all organs and systems can be affected.

Chronic radiation sickness

This condition develops with prolonged contact with radioactive substances.. Most often it develops in people who interact with them on duty.

However, the clinical picture may develop slowly over many years. With prolonged and prolonged contact with radioactive sources of radiation, damage occurs to the nervous, endocrine, and circulatory systems. The kidneys also suffer, and failures occur in all metabolic processes.

Chronic radiation sickness has several stages. It can occur polymorphically, clinically manifested by damage to various organs and systems.

Oncological malignant pathologies

Scientists have proven that radiation can provoke cancer pathologies. Most often, skin or thyroid cancer develops; there are also frequent cases of leukemia, a blood cancer, in people suffering from acute radiation sickness.

According to statistics, the number of oncological pathologies after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant increased tens of times in areas affected by radiation.

Use of radiation in medicine

Scientists have learned to use radiation for the benefit of humanity. A huge number of different diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are related in one way or another to radioactive radiation. Thanks to sophisticated safety protocols and state-of-the-art equipment this use of radiation is practically safe for the patient and medical personnel, but subject to all safety rules.

Diagnostic medical techniques using radiation: radiography, computed tomography, fluorography.

Treatment methods include various types of radiation therapy, which are used in the treatment of oncological pathologies.

The use of radiation diagnostic methods and therapy should be carried out by qualified specialists. These procedures are prescribed to patients solely for indications.

Basic methods of protection against radiation radiation

Having learned to use radioactive radiation in industry and medicine, scientists took care of the safety of people who may come into contact with these dangerous substances.

Only careful adherence to the basics of personal prevention and protection from radiation can protect a person working in a dangerous radioactive zone from chronic radiation sickness.

Basic methods of protection against radiation:

• Protection through distance. Radioactive radiation has a certain wavelength, beyond which it has no effect. That's why in case of danger, you must immediately leave the danger zone.
• Shielding protection. The essence of this method is to use substances for protection that do not allow radioactive waves to pass through them. For example, paper, a respirator, and rubber gloves can protect against alpha radiation.
• Protection by time. All radioactive substances have a half-life and decay time.
• Chemical protection. Substances that can reduce the negative effects of radiation on the body are given to a person orally or injected.

People working with radioactive substances have protocols for protection and behavior in various situations. Usually, dosimeters are installed in the work areas - devices for measuring background radiation.

Radiation is dangerous for humans. When its level increases above the permissible norm, various diseases and damage to internal organs and systems develop. Against the background of radiation exposure, malignant oncological pathologies can develop. Radiation is also used in medicine. It is used to diagnose and treat many diseases.

Radiation- invisible, inaudible, has no taste, color or smell, and is therefore terrible. Word " radiation»causes paranoia, terror, or a strange state strongly reminiscent of anxiety. With direct exposure to radiation, radiation sickness can develop (at this point, anxiety develops into panic, because no one knows what it is and how to deal with it). It turns out that radiation is deadly... but not always, sometimes even useful.

So what is it? What do they eat it with, this radiation, how to survive an encounter with it and where to call if it accidentally comes across you on the street?

What is radioactivity and radiation?

Radioactivity- instability of the nuclei of some atoms, manifested in their ability to undergo spontaneous transformations (decay), accompanied by the emission of ionizing radiation or radiation. Further we will talk only about the radiation that is associated with radioactivity.

Radiation, or ionizing radiation- these are particles and gamma quanta, the energy of which is high enough to create ions of different signs when exposed to matter. Radiation cannot be caused by chemical reactions.

What kind of radiation is there?

There are several types of radiation.

• Alpha particles: relatively heavy, positively charged particles that are helium nuclei.
• Beta particles- they're just electrons.
• Gamma radiation has the same electromagnetic nature as visible light, but has much greater penetrating power.
• Neutrons- electrically neutral particles arise mainly directly near an operating nuclear reactor, where access, of course, is regulated.
• X-ray radiation similar to gamma radiation, but has less energy. By the way, our Sun is one of the natural sources of X-ray radiation, but the earth’s atmosphere provides reliable protection from it.

Ultraviolet radiation And laser radiation in our consideration are not radiation.

Charged particles interact very strongly with matter, therefore, on the one hand, even one alpha particle, when entering a living organism, can destroy or damage many cells, but, on the other hand, for the same reason, sufficient protection from alpha and beta -radiation is any, even a very thin layer of solid or liquid substance - for example, ordinary clothing (if, of course, the radiation source is outside).

It is necessary to distinguish radioactivity And radiation. Sources of radiation - radioactive substances or nuclear technical installations (reactors, accelerators, X-ray equipment, etc.) - can exist for a considerable time, but radiation exists only until it is absorbed in any substance.

What can the effects of radiation on humans lead to?

The effect of radiation on humans is called exposure. The basis of this effect is the transfer of radiation energy to the cells of the body.
Irradiation may cause metabolic disorders, infectious complications, leukemia and malignant tumors, radiation infertility, radiation cataract, radiation burn, radiation sickness. The effects of radiation have a stronger effect on dividing cells, and therefore radiation is much more dangerous for children than for adults.

As for the frequently mentioned genetic(i.e., inherited) mutations as a consequence of human irradiation, such mutations have never been discovered. Even among the 78,000 children of Japanese survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, no increase in the incidence of hereditary diseases was observed ( book “Life after Chernobyl” by Swedish scientists S. Kullander and B. Larson).

It should be remembered that much greater REAL damage to human health is caused by emissions from the chemical and steel industries, not to mention the fact that science does not yet know the mechanism of malignant degeneration of tissues from external influences.

How can radiation enter the body?

The human body reacts to radiation, not to its source.
Those sources of radiation, which are radioactive substances, can enter the body with food and water (through the intestines), through the lungs (during breathing) and, to a small extent, through the skin, as well as during medical radioisotope diagnostics. In this case we talk about internal training.
In addition, a person may be exposed to external radiation from a radiation source that is located outside his body.
Internal radiation is much more dangerous than external radiation.

Is radiation transmitted as a disease?

Radiation is created by radioactive substances or specially designed equipment. The radiation itself, acting on the body, does not form radioactive substances in it, and does not turn it into a new source of radiation. Thus, a person does not become radioactive after an X-ray or fluorographic examination. By the way, an X-ray image (film) also does not contain radioactivity.

An exception is the situation in which radioactive drugs are deliberately introduced into the body (for example, during a radioisotope examination of the thyroid gland), and the person becomes a source of radiation for a short time. However, drugs of this kind are specially selected so that they quickly lose their radioactivity due to decay, and the intensity of the radiation quickly decreases.

Of course " get dirty» body or clothing exposed to radioactive liquid, powder or dust. Then some of this radioactive “dirt” - along with ordinary dirt - can be transferred upon contact to another person. Unlike a disease, which, transmitted from person to person, reproduces its harmful force (and can even lead to an epidemic), the transmission of dirt leads to its rapid dilution to safe limits.

In what units is radioactivity measured?

Measure radioactivity serves activity. Measured in Becquerelach (Bk), which corresponds to 1 decay per second. The activity content of a substance is often estimated per unit weight of the substance (Bq/kg) or volume (Bq/cubic meter).
There is also such a unit of activity as Curie (Ki). This is a huge amount: 1 Ci = 37000000000 (37*10^9) Bq.
The activity of a radioactive source characterizes its power. So, in the source of activity 1 Curie occurs 37000000000 decays per second.

As mentioned above, during these decays the source emits ionizing radiation. The measure of the ionization effect of this radiation on a substance is exposure dose. Often measured in X-rays (R). Since 1 Roentgen is a rather large value, in practice it is more convenient to use the millionth ( mkr) or thousandth ( mR) fractions of Roentgen.
Action of common household dosimeters is based on measuring ionization over a certain time, that is, the exposure dose rate. Unit of measurement of exposure dose rate - micro-Roentgen/hour .

The dose rate multiplied by time is called dose. Dose rate and dose are related in the same way as the speed of a car and the distance traveled by this car (path).
To assess the impact on the human body, concepts are used equivalent dose And equivalent dose rate. Measured accordingly in Sievertach (Sv) And Sieverts/hour (Sv/hour). In everyday life we ​​can assume that 1 Sievert = 100 Roentgen. It is necessary to indicate which organ, part or entire body the dose was given to.

It can be shown that the above-mentioned point source with an activity of 1 Curie (for definiteness, we consider a cesium-137 source) at a distance of 1 meter from itself creates an exposure dose rate of approximately 0.3 Roentgen/hour, and at a distance of 10 meters - approximately 0.003 Roentgen/hour. Reducing dose rate with increasing distance always occurs from the source and is determined by the laws of radiation propagation.

Now the typical mistake of the media, reporting: “ Today, on such and such a street, a radioactive source of 10 thousand roentgens was discovered when the norm is 20».
Firstly, the dose is measured in Roentgens, and the source characteristic is its activity. A source of so many X-rays is the same as a bag of potatoes weighing so many minutes.
Therefore, in any case, we can only talk about the dose rate from the source. And not just the dose rate, but with an indication at what distance from the source this dose rate was measured.

Further, the following considerations can be made. 10 thousand roentgens/hour is quite a large value. It can hardly be measured with a dosimeter in hand, since when approaching the source, the dosimeter will first show both 100 Roentgen/hour and 1000 Roentgen/hour! It is very difficult to assume that the dosimetrist will continue to approach the source. Since dosimeters measure the dose rate in micro-Roentgen/hour, we can assume that in this case we are talking about 10 thousand micro-Roentgen/hour = 10 milli-Roentgen/hour = 0.01 Roentgen/hour. Such sources, although they do not pose a mortal danger, are less common on the street than hundred-ruble bills, and this can be a topic for an information message. Moreover, the mention of the “standard 20” can be understood as a conditional upper limit of the usual dosimeter readings in the city, i.e. 20 micro-Roentgen/hour.

Therefore, the correct message, apparently, should look like this: “Today, on such and such a street, a radioactive source was discovered, close to which the dosimeter shows 10 thousand micro-roentgens per hour, despite the fact that the average value of background radiation in our city does not exceed 20 micro-roentgens per hour "

What are isotopes?

There are more than 100 chemical elements in the periodic table. Almost each of them is represented by a mixture of stable and radioactive atoms which are called isotopes of this element. About 2000 isotopes are known, of which about 300 are stable.
For example, the first element of the periodic table - hydrogen - has the following isotopes:
hydrogen H-1 (stable)
deuterium N-2 (stable)
tritium N-3 (radioactive, half-life 12 years)

Radioactive isotopes are usually called radionuclides .

What is half-life?

The number of radioactive nuclei of the same type constantly decreases over time due to their decay.
The decay rate is usually characterized by a half-life: this is the time during which the number of radioactive nuclei of a certain type will decrease by 2 times.
Absolutely wrong is the following interpretation of the concept of “half-life”: “ if a radioactive substance has a half-life of 1 hour, this means that after 1 hour its first half will decay, and after another 1 hour the second half will decay, and this substance will completely disappear (disintegrate)«.

For a radionuclide with a half-life of 1 hour, this means that after 1 hour its amount will become 2 times less than the original, after 2 hours - 4 times, after 3 hours - 8 times, etc., but will never completely disappear. The radiation emitted by this substance will decrease in the same proportion. Therefore, it is possible to predict the radiation situation for the future if you know what and in what quantities of radioactive substances create radiation in a given place at a given time.

Everyone has it radionuclide- mine half life, it can range from fractions of a second to billions of years. It is important that the half-life of a given radionuclide is constant, and it is impossible to change it.
Nuclei formed during radioactive decay, in turn, can also be radioactive. For example, radioactive radon-222 owes its origin to radioactive uranium-238.

Sometimes there are statements that radioactive waste in storage facilities will completely decay within 300 years. This is wrong. It’s just that this time will be approximately 10 half-lives of cesium-137, one of the most common man-made radionuclides, and over 300 years its radioactivity in waste will decrease almost 1000 times, but, unfortunately, will not disappear.

What is radioactive around us?

The following diagram will help to assess the impact on a person of certain sources of radiation (according to A.G. Zelenkov, 1990).

Based on its origin, radioactivity is divided into natural (natural) and man-made.

a) Natural radioactivity
Natural radioactivity has existed for billions of years and is literally everywhere. Ionizing radiation existed on Earth long before the origin of life on it and was present in space before the emergence of the Earth itself. Radioactive materials have been part of the Earth since its birth. Every person is slightly radioactive: in the tissues of the human body, one of the main sources of natural radiation is potassium-40 and rubidium-87, and there is no way to get rid of them.

Let's take into account that modern people spend up to 80% of their time indoors - at home or at work, where they receive the main dose of radiation: although buildings protect against radiation from the outside, the building materials from which they are built contain natural radioactivity. Radon and its decay products make a significant contribution to human exposure.

b) Radon
The main source of this radioactive noble gas is the earth's crust. Penetrating through cracks and crevices in the foundation, floor and walls, radon lingers indoors. Another source of radon indoors is the building materials themselves (concrete, brick, etc.), which contain natural radionuclides that are a source of radon. Radon can also enter homes with water (especially if it is supplied from artesian wells), when burning natural gas, etc.
Radon is 7.5 times heavier than air. As a result, radon concentrations in the upper floors of multi-story buildings are usually lower than on the ground floor.
A person receives the bulk of the radiation dose from radon while in a closed, unventilated room; Regular ventilation can reduce radon concentrations several times.
With prolonged exposure to radon and its products in the human body, the risk of lung cancer increases many times over.
The following diagram will help you compare the emission power of different radon sources.

c) Technogenic radioactivity
Man-made radioactivity arises as a result of human activity.
Conscious economic activity, during which the redistribution and concentration of natural radionuclides occurs, leads to noticeable changes in the natural radiation background. This includes the extraction and combustion of coal, oil, gas, and other fossil fuels, the use of phosphate fertilizers, and the extraction and processing of ores.
For example, studies of oil fields in Russia show a significant excess of permissible radioactivity standards, an increase in radiation levels in the area of ​​wells caused by the deposition of radium-226, thorium-232 and potassium-40 salts on the equipment and adjacent soil. Operating and spent pipes are especially contaminated and often have to be classified as radioactive waste.
This type of transport, such as civil aviation, exposes its passengers to increased exposure to cosmic radiation.
And, of course, nuclear weapons testing, nuclear energy enterprises and industry make their contribution.

Of course, accidental (uncontrolled) spread of radioactive sources is also possible: accidents, losses, thefts, spraying, etc. Such situations, fortunately, are VERY RARE. Moreover, their danger should not be exaggerated.
For comparison, the contribution of Chernobyl to the total collective dose of radiation that Russians and Ukrainians living in contaminated areas will receive in the next 50 years will be only 2%, while 60% of the dose will be determined by natural radioactivity.

What do commonly found radioactive objects look like?

According to MosNPO Radon, more than 70 percent of all cases of radioactive contamination detected in Moscow occur in residential areas with intensive new construction and green areas of the capital. It was in the latter that, in the 50-60s, household waste dumps were located, where low-level radioactive industrial waste, which was then considered relatively safe, was also dumped.

In addition, individual objects shown below can be carriers of radioactivity:

	A switch with a glow-in-the-dark toggle switch, the tip of which is painted with a permanent light composition based on radium salts. Dose rate for point-blank measurements is about 2 milliRoentgen/hour

Is a computer a source of radiation?

The only part of the computer for which we can talk about radiation is the monitors on cathode ray tubes(CRT); This does not apply to displays of other types (liquid crystal, plasma, etc.).
Monitors, along with regular CRT televisions, can be considered a weak source of X-ray radiation originating from the inner surface of the glass of the CRT screen. However, due to the large thickness of this same glass, it also absorbs a significant part of the radiation. To date, no impact of X-ray radiation from CRT monitors on health has been discovered, however, all modern CRTs are produced with a conditionally safe level of X-ray radiation.

Currently, regarding monitors, Swedish national standards are generally accepted for all manufacturers "MPR II", "TCO-92", -95, -99. These standards, in particular, regulate electric and magnetic fields from monitors.
As for the term “low radiation”, this is not a standard, but just a declaration by the manufacturer that he has done something, known only to him, in order to reduce radiation. The less common term “low emission” has a similar meaning.

The standards in force in Russia are set out in the document “Hygienic requirements for personal electronic computers and organization of work” (SanPiN SanPiN 2.2.2/2.4.1340-03), the full text is located at the address, and a short excerpt about permissible values ​​of all types radiation from video monitors - here.

When fulfilling orders for radiation monitoring of the offices of a number of organizations in Moscow, LRK-1 employees carried out a dosimetric examination of about 50 CRT monitors of different brands, with screen diagonal sizes from 14 to 21 inches. In all cases, the dose rate at a distance of 5 cm from the monitors did not exceed 30 µR/hour, i.e. with a threefold margin was within the permissible norm (100 μR/hour).

What is normal background radiation?

There are populated areas on Earth with increased background radiation. These are, for example, the highland cities of Bogota, Lhasa, Quito, where the level of cosmic radiation is approximately 5 times higher than at sea level.

These are also sandy zones with a high concentration of minerals containing phosphates with an admixture of uranium and thorium - in India (Kerala state) and Brazil (Espirito Santo state). We can mention the area where waters with a high concentration of radium come out in Iran (Romser). Although in some of these areas the absorbed dose rate is 1000 times higher than the average on the Earth's surface, population surveys have not revealed changes in the structure of morbidity and mortality.

In addition, even for a specific area there is no “normal background” as a constant characteristic; it cannot be obtained as a result of a small number of measurements.
In any place, even for undeveloped territories where “no human has set foot,” the radiation background changes from point to point, as well as at each specific point over time. These background fluctuations can be quite significant. In populated areas, additional factors of enterprise activity, transport operation, etc. are superimposed. For example, at airfields, thanks to the high-quality concrete pavement with granite crushed stone, the background is usually higher than in the surrounding area.

Measurements of radiation background in the city of Moscow allow us to indicate the TYPICAL value of the background on the street (open area) - 8 - 12 μR/hour, in room - 15 - 20 µR/hour.

What are the standards for radioactivity?

There are a lot of standards regarding radioactivity—literally everything is regulated. In all cases a distinction is made between the public and the staff, i.e. persons whose work involves radioactivity (nuclear power plant workers, nuclear industry workers, etc.). Outside of their production, personnel belong to the population. For personnel and production premises, their own standards are established.

Further we will talk only about the standards for the population - that part of them that is directly related to normal life activities, based on the Federal Law “On Radiation Safety of the Population” No. 3-FZ dated 12/05/96 and “Radiation Safety Standards (NRB-99). Sanitary rules SP 2.6.1.1292-03".

The main task of radiation monitoring (measurements of radiation or radioactivity) is to determine the compliance of the radiation parameters of the object under study (dose rate in the room, content of radionuclides in building materials, etc.) with established standards.

a) air, food and water
The content of both man-made and natural radioactive substances is standardized for inhaled air, water and food.
In addition to NRB-99, “Hygienic requirements for the quality and safety of food raw materials and food products (SanPiN 2.3.2.560-96)” are applied.

b) building materials
The content of radioactive substances from the uranium and thorium families, as well as potassium-40 (in accordance with NRB-99) is normalized.
Specific effective activity (Aeff) of natural radionuclides in building materials used for newly built residential and public buildings (class 1),
Aeff = АRa +1.31АTh + 0.085 Ak should not exceed 370 Bq/kg,
where АRa and АTh are the specific activities of radium-226 and thorium-232, which are in equilibrium with other members of the uranium and thorium families, Ak is the specific activity of K-40 (Bq/kg).
GOST 30108-94 “Construction materials and products. Determination of the specific effective activity of natural radionuclides" and GOST R 50801-95 "Wood raw materials, timber, semi-finished products and products from wood and wood materials. Permissible specific activity of radionuclides, sampling and methods for measuring specific activity of radionuclides.”
Note that according to GOST 30108-94, the value Aeff m is taken as the result of determining the specific effective activity in the controlled material and establishing the class of the material:
Aeff m = Aeff + DAeff, where DAeff is the error in determining Aeff.

c) premises
The total content of radon and thoron in indoor air is normalized:
for new buildings - no more than 100 Bq/m3, for those already in use - no more than 200 Bq/m3.
In the city of Moscow, MGSN 2.02-97 “Permissible levels of ionizing radiation and radon in building areas” is used.

d) medical diagnostics
There are no dose limits for patients, but there is a requirement for minimum sufficient exposure levels to obtain diagnostic information.

e) computer equipment
The exposure dose rate of X-ray radiation at a distance of 5 cm from any point on a video monitor or personal computer should not exceed 100 µR/hour. The standard is contained in the document “Hygienic requirements for personal electronic computers and organization of work” (SanPiN 2.2.2/2.4.1340-03).

How to protect yourself from radiation?

They are protected from the source of radiation by time, distance and substance.

• Time- due to the fact that the shorter the time spent near the radiation source, the lower the radiation dose received from it.
• Distance- due to the fact that radiation decreases with distance from the compact source (proportional to the square of the distance). If at a distance of 1 meter from the radiation source the dosimeter records 1000 μR/hour, then at a distance of 5 meters the readings will drop to approximately 40 μR/hour.
• Substance— you must strive to have as much matter as possible between you and the source of radiation: the more of it and the denser it is, the more of the radiation it will absorb.

Concerning main source exposure indoors - radon and its decay products, then regular ventilation allows to significantly reduce their contribution to the dose load.
In addition, if we are talking about building or decorating your own home, which is likely to last for more than one generation, you should try to buy radiation-safe building materials - fortunately, their range is now extremely rich.

Does alcohol help against radiation?

Alcohol taken shortly before exposure can, to some extent, reduce the effects of exposure. However, its protective effect is inferior to modern anti-radiation drugs.

When to think about radiation?

Always think. But in everyday life, the likelihood of encountering a radiation source that poses an immediate threat to health is extremely low. For example, in Moscow and the region, less than 50 such cases are recorded per year, and in most cases - thanks to the constant systematic work of professional dosimetrists (employees of the MosNPO "Radon" and the Central State Sanitary and Epidemiological System of Moscow) in the places where radiation sources and local radioactive contamination are most likely to be detected (landfills , pits, scrap metal warehouses).
Nevertheless, it is in everyday life that sometimes one should remember about radioactivity. It's useful to do this:

• when buying an apartment, house, land,
• when planning construction and finishing works,
• when choosing and purchasing building and finishing materials for an apartment or house
• when choosing materials for landscaping the area around the house (soil of bulk lawns, bulk coverings for tennis courts, paving slabs and paving stones, etc.)

It should still be noted that radiation is far from the most important reason for constant concern. According to the scale of relative danger of various types of anthropogenic impact on humans developed in the USA, radiation is at 26 - place, and the first two places are occupied heavy metals And chemical toxicants.

In the broadest sense of the word, radiation(Latin “radiance”, “radiation”) is the process of energy propagation in space in the form of various waves and particles. These include: infrared (thermal), ultraviolet, visible light radiation, as well as various types of ionizing radiation. The greatest interest from the point of view of health and life safety is ionizing radiation, i.e. types of radiation that can cause ionization of the substance they affect. In particular, in living cells, ionizing radiation causes the formation of free radicals, the accumulation of which leads to the destruction of proteins, death or degeneration of cells, and ultimately can cause the death of a macroorganism (animals, plants, humans). That is why in most cases the term radiation usually means ionizing radiation. It is also worth understanding the differences between terms such as radiation and radioactivity. If the first can be applied to ionizing radiation located in free space, which will exist until it is absorbed by some object (substance), then radioactivity is the ability of substances and objects to emit ionizing radiation, i.e. be a source of radiation. Depending on the nature of the object and its origin, the terms are divided: natural radioactivity and artificial radioactivity. Natural radioactivity accompanies the spontaneous decay of the nuclei of matter in nature and is characteristic of “heavy” elements of the periodic table (with a serial number of more than 82). Artificial radioactivity is initiated by a person purposefully with the help of various nuclear reactions. In addition, it is worth highlighting the so-called "induced" radioactivity, when some substance, object or even an organism, after strong exposure to ionizing radiation, itself becomes a source of dangerous radiation due to the destabilization of atomic nuclei. A powerful source of radiation dangerous to human life and health can be any radioactive substance or object. Unlike many other types of danger, radiation is invisible without special equipment, which makes it even more frightening. The cause of radioactivity in a substance is the unstable nuclei that make up atoms, which, when decaying, release invisible radiation or particles into the environment. Depending on various properties (composition, penetrating ability, energy), today many types of ionizing radiation are distinguished, of which the most significant and widespread are: . Alpha radiation. The source of radiation in it are particles with a positive charge and a relatively large weight. Alpha particles (2 protons + 2 neutrons) are quite bulky and therefore are easily delayed even by minor obstacles: clothing, wallpaper, window curtains, etc. Even if alpha radiation hits a naked person, there is nothing to worry about; it will not pass beyond the superficial layers of the skin. However, despite its low penetrating ability, alpha radiation has powerful ionization, which is especially dangerous if substances that source alpha particles enter directly into the human body, for example, into the lungs or digestive tract. . Beta radiation. It is a stream of charged particles (positrons or electrons). Such radiation has a greater penetrating power than alpha particles; it can be blocked by a wooden door, window glass, car body, etc. It is dangerous for humans when exposed to unprotected skin, as well as when radioactive substances are ingested. . Gamma radiation and close to it X-ray radiation. Another type of ionizing radiation, which is related to light flux, but with better ability to penetrate into surrounding objects. By its nature, it is high-energy short-wave electromagnetic radiation. In order to delay gamma radiation, in some cases a wall of several meters of lead or several tens of meters of dense reinforced concrete may be required. For humans, such radiation is the most dangerous. The main source of this type of radiation in nature is the Sun, however, deadly rays do not reach humans due to the protective layer of the atmosphere.

Scheme of the formation of various types of radiation Natural radiation and radioactivity In our environment, regardless of whether it is urban or rural, there are natural sources of radiation. As a rule, naturally occurring ionizing radiation rarely poses a danger to humans; its values ​​are usually within acceptable limits. Soil, water, the atmosphere, some foods and things, and many space objects have natural radioactivity. The primary source of natural radiation in many cases is the radiation of the Sun and the decay energy of certain elements of the earth's crust. Even humans themselves have natural radioactivity. In the body of each of us there are substances such as rubidium-87 and potassium-40, which create a personal radiation background. The source of radiation can be a building, building materials, or household items that contain substances with unstable atomic nuclei. It is worth noting that the natural level of radiation is not the same everywhere. Thus, in some cities located high in the mountains, the level of radiation exceeds that at the height of the world's oceans by almost five times. There are also zones of the earth's surface where radiation is significantly higher due to the location of radioactive substances in the bowels of the earth. Artificial radiation and radioactivity Unlike natural, artificial radioactivity is a consequence of human activity. Sources of artificial radiation are: nuclear power plants, military and civilian equipment using nuclear reactors, mining sites with unstable atomic nuclei, nuclear testing areas, nuclear fuel burial and leakage sites, nuclear waste cemeteries, some diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, as well as radioactive isotopes in medicine.
How to detect radiation and radioactivity? The only way available to an ordinary person to determine the level of radiation and radioactivity is to use a special device - a dosimeter (radiometer). The measurement principle is to record and estimate the number of radiation particles using a Geiger-Muller counter. Personal dosimeter No one is immune from the effects of radiation. Unfortunately, any object around us can be a source of deadly radiation: money, food, tools, building materials, clothing, furniture, transport, land, water, etc. In moderate doses, our body is able to withstand the effects of radiation without harmful consequences, but today rarely does anyone pay sufficient attention to radiation safety, daily exposing themselves and their family to mortal risk. How dangerous is radiation to humans? As is known, the effect of radiation on the human or animal body can be of two types: from the inside or from the outside. None of them add health. In addition, science knows that the internal influence of radiation substances is more dangerous than the external one. Most often, radiation substances enter our body along with contaminated water and food. In order to avoid internal exposure to radiation, it is enough to know which foods are its source. But with external radiation exposure everything is a little different. Sources of radiation Radiation background is classified into natural and man-made. It is almost impossible to avoid natural radiation on our planet, since its sources are the Sun and subsoil gas radon. This type of radiation has virtually no negative impact on the body of people and animals, since its level on the Earth’s surface is within the MPC. True, in space or even at an altitude of 10 km on board an airliner, solar radiation can pose a real danger. Thus, radiation and humans are in constant interaction. With man-made sources of radiation, everything is ambiguous. In some areas of industry and mining, workers wear special protective clothing against exposure to radiation. The background radiation level at such facilities can be much higher than permissible standards.
Living in the modern world, it is important to know what radiation is and how it affects people, animals and vegetation. The degree of exposure to radiation on the human body is usually measured in Sievertach(abbreviated as Sv, 1 Sv = 1000 mSv = 1,000,000 µSv). This is done using special devices for measuring radiation - dosimeters. Under the influence of natural radiation, each of us is exposed to 2.4 mSv per year, and we do not feel this, since this indicator is absolutely safe for health. But with high doses of radiation, the consequences for the human or animal body can be the most severe. Among the known diseases that arise as a result of irradiation of the human body, there are such as leukemia, radiation sickness with all the ensuing consequences, all kinds of tumors, cataracts, infections, and infertility. And with strong exposure, radiation can even cause burns! An approximate picture of the effects of radiation at various doses is as follows: . with a dose of effective irradiation of the body of 1 Sv, the composition of the blood deteriorates; . with a dose of effective irradiation of the body of 2-5 Sv, baldness and leukemia occur (the so-called “radiation sickness”); . With an effective body radiation dose of 3 Sv, about 50 percent of people die within one month. That is, radiation at a certain level of exposure poses an extremely serious danger to all living things. There is also a lot of talk about the fact that radiation exposure leads to mutation at the gene level. Some scientists consider radiation to be the main cause of mutations, while others argue that gene transformation is not at all associated with exposure to ionizing radiation. In any case, the question of the mutagenic effect of radiation remains open. But there are plenty of examples of radiation causing infertility. Is radiation contagious? Is it dangerous to come into contact with irradiated people? Contrary to what many people believe, radiation is not contagious. You can communicate with patients suffering from radiation sickness and other diseases caused by exposure to radiation without personal protective equipment. But only if they did not come into direct contact with radioactive substances and are not themselves sources of radiation! For whom is radiation most dangerous? Radiation has the greatest impact on the younger generation, that is, on children. Scientifically, this is explained by the fact that ionizing radiation has a stronger effect on cells that are in the stage of growth and division. Adults are much less affected because their cell division slows down or stops. But pregnant women need to be wary of radiation at all costs! At the stage of intrauterine development, the cells of the growing organism are especially sensitive to radiation, so even mild and short-term exposure to radiation can have an extremely negative impact on the development of the fetus. How to recognize radiation? It is almost impossible to detect radiation without special instruments before health problems appear. This is the main danger of radiation - it is invisible! The modern market of goods (food and non-food) is controlled by special services that check the compliance of products with established radiation radiation standards. However, the possibility of purchasing an item or even a food product whose background radiation does not meet the standards still exists. Typically, such goods are brought from contaminated areas illegally. Do you want to feed your child foods containing radiation substances? Obviously not. Then buy products only in trusted places. Better yet, buy a device that measures radiation and use it for your health!
How to deal with radiation? The simplest and most obvious answer to the question “How to remove radiation from the body?” is the following: go to the gym! Physical activity leads to increased sweating, and radiation substances are excreted along with sweat. You can also reduce the effect of radiation on the human body by visiting a sauna. It has almost the same effect as physical activity - it leads to increased sweat production. Eating fresh vegetables and fruits can also reduce the impact of radiation on human health. You need to know that today an ideal means of protection against radiation has not yet been invented. The easiest and most effective way to protect yourself from the negative effects of deadly rays is to stay away from their source. If you know everything about radiation and know how to properly use instruments to measure it, you can almost completely avoid its negative effects. What could be the source of radiation? We have already said that it is almost impossible to completely protect yourself from the effects of radiation on our planet. Each of us is continuously exposed to radioactive radiation, natural and man-made. The source of radiation can be anything, from a seemingly harmless children's toy to a nearby enterprise. However, these items can be considered temporary sources of radiation from which you can protect yourself. In addition to them, there is also a general radiation background created by several sources that surround us. Background ionizing radiation can be created by gaseous, solid and liquid substances for various purposes. For example, the most widespread gaseous source of natural radiation is radon gas. It is constantly released in small quantities from the bowels of the Earth and accumulates in basements, lowlands, on the lower floors of premises, etc. Even the walls of premises cannot completely protect against radioactive gas. Moreover, in some cases, the walls of buildings themselves can be a source of radiation. Radiation conditions indoors Radiation in rooms created by the building materials from which walls are constructed can pose a serious threat to the life and health of people. To assess the quality of premises and buildings from the point of view of radioactivity, special services have been organized in our country. Their task is to periodically measure the level of radiation in homes and public buildings and compare the results obtained with existing standards. If the level of radiation from building materials in a room is within these standards, then the commission approves its further operation. Otherwise, the building may be required to undergo repairs, and in some cases, demolition with subsequent disposal of building materials. It should be noted that almost any structure creates a certain radiation background. Moreover, the older the building, the higher the level of radiation in it. With this in mind, when measuring the radiation level in a building, its age is also taken into account.
Enterprises are man-made sources of radiation Household radiation There is a category of household items that emit radiation, although within acceptable limits. This is, for example, a watch or a compass, the hands of which are coated with radium salts, due to which they glow in the dark (phosphorus glow, familiar to everyone). We can also say with confidence that there is radiation in the room in which a TV or monitor based on a conventional CRT is installed. For the sake of the experiment, experts brought the dosimeter to a compass with phosphorus needles. We received a slight excess of the general background, although within normal limits.
Radiation and medicine A person is exposed to radioactive radiation at all stages of his life, working in industrial enterprises, while at home and even undergoing treatment. A classic example of the use of radiation in medicine is FLG. According to the current rules, everyone is required to undergo fluorography at least once a year. During this examination procedure we are exposed to radiation, but the radiation dose in such cases is within safety limits.
Contaminated products It is believed that the most dangerous source of radiation that can be encountered in everyday life is food, which is a source of radiation. Few people know where they came from, for example, potatoes or other fruits and vegetables, which now literally fill the shelves of grocery stores. But it is these products that can pose a serious threat to human health, containing radioactive isotopes in their composition. Radiation food has a stronger effect on the body than other sources of radiation, as it enters directly into it. Thus, most objects and substances emit a certain dose of radiation. Another thing is what the magnitude of this radiation dose is: is it dangerous to health or not. You can assess the danger of certain substances from a radiation point of view using a dosimeter. As is known, in small doses, radiation has virtually no effect on health. Everything that surrounds us creates a natural radiation background: plants, land, water, soil, sun rays. But this does not mean that one should not be afraid of ionizing radiation at all. Radiation is only safe when it is normal. So what standards are considered safe? General radiation safety standards for premises Premises from the point of view of background radiation are considered safe if the content of thorium and radon particles in them does not exceed 100 Bq per cubic meter. In addition, radiation safety can be assessed by the difference in the effective radiation dose indoors and outdoors. It should not go beyond 0.3 μSv per hour. Anyone can carry out such measurements - all you need to do is buy a personal dosimeter. The level of background radiation in premises is greatly influenced by the quality of materials used in the construction and renovation of buildings. That is why, before carrying out construction work, special sanitary services carry out appropriate measurements of the content of radionuclides in building materials (for example, they determine the specific effective activity of radionuclides). Depending on what category of object a particular building material is intended to be used for, permissible specific activity standards vary within fairly wide limits: . For building materials used in the construction of public and residential facilities ( I class) the effective specific activity should not exceed 370 Bq/kg. . In materials for buildings II class, that is, industrial, as well as for the construction of roads in populated areas, the threshold of permissible specific activity of radionuclides should be at around 740 Bq/kg and below. . Roads outside populated areas related to III class must be constructed using materials whose specific activity of radionuclides does not exceed 1.5 kBq/kg. . For construction of objects IV class materials with a specific activity of radiation components of no more than 4 kBq/kg can be used. The site’s specialists found that today building materials with higher levels of radionuclide content are not allowed for use. What kind of water can you drink? Maximum permissible standards for radionuclide content have also been established for drinking water. Water is allowed for drinking and cooking if the specific activity of alpha radionuclides in it does not exceed 0.1 Bq/kg, and of beta radionuclides - 1 Bq/kg. Radiation absorption standards It is known that every object is capable of absorbing ionizing radiation when located in the area of ​​influence of a radiation source. Humans are no exception - our body absorbs radiation no worse than water or earth. In accordance with this, standards for absorbed ion particles for humans have been developed: . For the general population, the permissible effective dose per year is 1 mSv (according to this, the quantity and quality of diagnostic medical procedures that have radiation effects on humans are limited). . For group A personnel, the average indicator may be higher, but per year should not exceed 20 mSv. . For group B working personnel, the permissible effective annual dose of ionizing radiation should be on average no more than 5 mSv. There are also standards for the equivalent radiation dose per year for individual organs of the human body: the lens of the eye (up to 150 mSv), skin (up to 500 mSv), hands, feet, etc. General radiation standards Natural radiation is not standardized, since depending on the geographical location and time, this indicator can vary over a very wide range. For example, recent measurements of background radiation on the streets of the Russian capital showed that the background level here ranges from 8 to 12 microroentgens per hour. On mountain peaks, where the protective properties of the atmosphere are lower than in settlements located closer to the level of the world's oceans, ionizing radiation levels can be even 5 times higher than Moscow values! Also, the background radiation level may be above average in places where the air is oversaturated with dust and sand with a high content of thorium and uranium. You can determine the quality of the conditions in which you live or are just going to live in terms of radiation safety using a household dosimeter-radiometer. This small device can be powered by batteries and allows you to assess the radiation safety of building materials, fertilizers, and food, which is important in an already poor environment in the world. Despite the high danger that almost any source of radiation poses, methods of radiation protection still exist. All methods of protection against radiation exposure can be divided into three types: time, distance and special screens. Time protection The point of this method of radiation protection is to minimize the time spent near the radiation source. The less time a person is near a radiation source, the less harm it will cause to health. This method of protection was used, for example, during the liquidation of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Liquidators of the consequences of an explosion at a nuclear power plant had only a few minutes to do their work in the affected area and return to safe territory. Exceeding the time led to an increase in the level of radiation and could be the beginning of the development of radiation sickness and other consequences that radiation can cause. Protection by distance If you find an object near you that is a source of radiation - one that can pose a danger to life and health, you must move away from it to a distance where background radiation and radiation are within acceptable limits. It is also possible to remove the radiation source to a safe area or for burial. Anti-radiation screens and protective clothing In some situations, it is simply necessary to carry out any activity in an area with increased background radiation. An example would be eliminating the consequences of an accident at nuclear power plants or working at industrial enterprises where there are sources of radioactive radiation. Being in such areas without using personal protective equipment is dangerous not only for health, but also for life. Personal radiation protection equipment has been developed especially for such cases. They are screens made of materials that block various types of radiation and special clothing. Protective suit against radiation What are radiation protection products made of? As you know, radiation is classified into several types depending on the nature and charge of the radiation particles. To resist certain types of radiation, protective equipment against it is made using various materials: . Protect people from radiation alpha, rubber gloves, a paper “barrier” or a regular respirator help.
. If the contaminated area is dominated by beta radiation, then in order to protect the body from its harmful effects, you will need a screen made of glass, a thin aluminum sheet, or a material such as plexiglass. To protect against beta radiation of the respiratory system, a conventional respirator is no longer enough. You will need a gas mask here.
. The hardest thing is to protect yourself from gamma radiation. Uniforms that have a shielding effect from this type of radiation are made of lead, cast iron, steel, tungsten and other high-mass metals. It was lead clothing that was used during work at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant after the accident.
. All kinds of barriers made of polymers, polyethylene and even water effectively protect against harmful effects neutron particles.
Nutritional supplements against radiation Very often, food additives are used in conjunction with protective clothing and shields to provide protection against radiation. They are taken orally before or after entering an area with increased levels of radiation and in many cases can reduce the toxic effects of radionuclides on the body. In addition, certain foods can reduce the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. Eleutherococcus reduces the effect of radiation on the body 1) Food products that reduce the effect of radiation. Even nuts, white bread, wheat, and radishes can to a small extent reduce the effects of radiation exposure on humans. The fact is that they contain selenium, which prevents the formation of tumors that can be caused by radiation exposure. Bioadditives based on algae (kelp, chlorella) are also very good in the fight against radiation. Even onions and garlic can partially rid the body of radioactive nuclides that have penetrated into it. ASD - a drug for protection against radiation 2) Pharmaceutical herbal preparations against radiation. The drug “Ginseng Root”, which can be bought at any pharmacy, has an effective effect against radiation. It is used in two doses before meals in the amount of 40-50 drops at a time. Also, to reduce the concentration of radionuclides in the body, it is recommended to consume Eleutherococcus extract in the amount of a quarter to half a teaspoon per day along with tea drunk in the morning and at lunchtime. Leuzea, zamanika, and lungwort also belong to the category of radioprotective drugs, and they can be purchased at pharmacies.
Personal first aid kit with drugs to protect against radiation But, we repeat, no drug can completely resist the effects of radiation. The best way to protect against radiation is to have no contact with contaminated objects at all and not to be in places with high background radiation. Dosimeters are measuring instruments for numerically estimating the dose of radioactive radiation or the rate of this dose per unit of time. The measurement is made using a built-in or separately connected Geiger-Muller counter: it measures the radiation dose by counting the number of ionizing particles passing through its working chamber. It is this sensitive element that is the main part of any dosimeter. The data obtained during measurements is converted and amplified by the electronics built into the dosimeter, and the readings are displayed on a dial or numeric, often liquid crystal, indicator. Based on the dose of ionizing radiation, which is usually measured by household dosimeters in the range from 0.1 to 100 μSv/h (microsievert per hour), the degree of radiation safety of a territory or object can be assessed. To test substances (both liquid and solid) for compliance with radiation standards, you need a device that allows you to measure a quantity such as micro-roentgen. Most modern dosimeters can measure this value in the range from 10 to 10,000 μR/h, and that is why such devices are often called dosimeters-radiometers. Types of dosimeters All dosimeters are classified into professional and individual (for use in domestic conditions). The difference between them lies mainly in the measurement limits and the magnitude of the error. Unlike household dosimeters, professional dosimeters have a wider measurement range (usually from 0.05 to 999 μSv/h), while personal dosimeters for the most part are not capable of determining doses greater than 100 μSv per hour. Also, professional devices differ from household ones in the error value: for household ones, the measurement error can reach 30%, and for professional ones it cannot be more than 7%.
A modern dosimeter can be carried with you everywhere! The functions of both professional and household dosimeters may include an audible alarm, which turns on at a certain threshold of the measured radiation dose. The value at which the alarm is triggered can be set by the user in some devices. This feature makes it easy to find potentially dangerous objects. Purpose of professional and household dosimeters: 1. Professional dosimeters are intended for use at industrial facilities, nuclear submarines and other similar places where there is a risk of receiving a high radiation dose (this explains the fact that professional dosimeters generally have a wider measurement range). 2. Household dosimeters can be used by the population to assess background radiation in an apartment or house. Also, with the help of such dosimeters, you can check building materials for the level of radiation and the territory on which the building is planned to be built, check the “purity” of purchased fruits, vegetables, berries, mushrooms, fertilizers, etc.
Compact professional dosimeter with two Geiger-Muller counters. The household dosimeter is small in size and weight. Operates, as a rule, from batteries or batteries. You can take it with you everywhere, for example, when going to the forest to pick mushrooms or even to the grocery store. The radiometry function, which is found in almost all household dosimeters, allows you to quickly and effectively assess the condition of products and their suitability for human consumption. Dosimeters of past years were inconvenient and cumbersome. Almost everyone can buy a dosimeter today. Not so long ago, they were available only to special services; they had a high cost and large dimensions, which made them much more difficult for the population to use. Modern advances in electronics have made it possible to significantly reduce the size of household dosimeters and make them more affordable. The updated instruments soon gained recognition throughout the world and today are the only effective solution for assessing the dose of ionizing radiation. No one is safe from collisions with radiation sources. You can find out that the radiation level has been exceeded only by the dosimeter readings or by a special warning sign. Typically, such signs are installed near man-made sources of radiation: factories, nuclear power plants, radioactive waste disposal sites, etc. Of course, you won’t find such signs at the market or in a store. But this does not mean that there cannot be sources of radiation in such places. There are known cases where the source of radiation was food, fruits, vegetables and even medications. How radionuclides can end up in consumer goods is another question. The main thing is to know how to behave correctly if radiation sources are detected. Where can you find a radioactive item? Since at industrial facilities of a certain category the likelihood of encountering a radiation source and receiving a dose is especially high, dosimeters are issued to almost all personnel. In addition, workers undergo a special training course, which explains to people how to behave in the event of a radiation threat or when a dangerous object is discovered. Also, many enterprises working with radioactive substances are equipped with light and sound alarms, which, when triggered, promptly evacuate the entire staff of the enterprise. In general, industry workers are well aware of how to respond to radiation threats. Things are completely different when radiation sources are found at home or on the street. Many of us simply do not know how to act in such situations and what to do. Radioactivity warning sign How to behave when a radiation source is detected? When an object of radiation is detected, it is important to know how to behave so that the radiation find does not harm either you or others. Please note: if you have a dosimeter in your hands, this does not give you any right to try to independently eliminate the detected source of radiation. The best thing you can do in such a situation is to move away to a safe distance from the object and warn passers-by about the danger. All other work on disposal of the object should be entrusted to the relevant authorities, for example, the police. The search and disposal of radiation items is carried out by the relevant services. We have already said more than once that a source of radiation can be detected even in a grocery store. In such situations, you also cannot remain silent or try to “sort out” the sellers yourself. It is better to politely warn the store administration and contact the Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision service. If you have not made a dangerous purchase, this does not mean that someone else will not buy the radiation item!

By its very nature, the effects of radiation are extremely harmful to any living organism. Even a small amount is enough to trigger cellular reactions in the body that lead to cancer and genetic damage. However, much more often, a person exposed to radiation risks dying within days of fatal contact. The consequences of radiation in large doses are terrible: damage to organs, destruction of the body from the inside and natural death.

Exposure level

In the case of serious radiation exposure, damage appears in the first days after the incident. Radionuclides accumulate in the body due to the action of metabolism. They replace natural atoms and thus change the structure of cells. When radionuclides decay, chemical isotopes appear that destroy the molecules of the human body. Another feature of irradiation is that its result may not affect the organ that was first hit. If we are talking about a small contact, then the consequences of radiation in the form of cancer make themselves felt many years later. Such an incubation period can last for decades.

However, sometimes the effects of radiation are felt not just over years, but over generations. This happens when the effects of radiation leave an imprint on the genetic code. It, in turn, affects the offspring generated by the young irradiated organism. This result manifests itself in the form of hereditary diseases. They can be passed on not only to children, but also to grandchildren, as well as to subsequent generations of the family.

Acute and long-term consequences

The quickly manifested effects of radiation on humans are otherwise called acute. They are easy to identify. But long-term results are much more difficult to determine. Very often, in the first time after irradiation, they do not give themselves away in any way. In this case, as a rule, irreversible changes occur at the cellular level. Such transformations are not noticeable either to the person himself or to doctors. In addition, they cannot be “detected” by special equipment, which does not in any way reduce the threat to health.

It is also important that the effects of radiation on humans may depend on the individual characteristics of the organism. This is especially true for long-term factors. Experts still cannot accurately determine the level of radiation required to cause cancer. Theoretically, a small dose is sufficient for this. Each person has his own reparation mechanism, which is responsible for clearing radiation. However, in the case of a large dose, anyone faces a mortal threat.

Impact on health

In laboratory conditions, the effects of radiation on animals and humans are studied on the basis of material obtained from the analysis of numerous results of use for medical purposes. They resort to it in the fight against cancer and tumors. Such therapy harms malignant tumors in the same way as uncontrolled radiation harms living human tissue.

The results of many years of research show that each organ responds to radiation to varying degrees. The most vulnerable parts of the human body are the spinal cord and the circulatory system. At the same time, they have a remarkable ability to regenerate.

Damage to vision and reproductive system

There are other serious consequences of radiation for humans. Photos of radiation victims show that the eyes are another risk area for infection. They have increased sensitivity to radiation. In this regard, the most fragile part of the visual organs is the lens. When cells die, they lose their transparency. Because of this, areas of cloudiness appear first, and then cataracts occur. Its last stage is final blindness.

Also, the dangerous consequences of radiation for the human body include an impact on the reproductive system. Indeed, just a single small irradiation of the testes can lead to sterility. These organs are an important exception in the human body. If other parts of the body much more easily tolerate a radiation dose divided into several doses than in one contact, then the opposite is true with the reproductive system. In this regard, another important feature is the ratio of female and male organisms. The ovaries are noticeably more resistant to radiation than the testes.

Threats to children

The harm caused by radiation to an adult increases several times in the case of a child’s body. A small amount of irradiation of cartilage tissue is enough to stop bone growth. Over time, this anomaly becomes the cause of disturbances in skeletal development. It is logical that the younger the child, the more dangerous the radiation is for his bones. Another vulnerable organ is the brain. Even when radiation therapy is used to treat cancer, children often lose their memory and ability to think clearly. Radiation in uncontrolled quantities further enhances this dangerous effect.

Consequences for pregnancy

When talking about children, we cannot fail to mention how radiation affects the fetus inside the mother’s body. During pregnancy, the most vulnerable period is from 8 to 15 weeks. At this time, the formation of the cerebral cortex occurs. If the mother is exposed to radiation during this period, there is a danger that the child will be born with serious disabilities in mental development. Even excessive exposure to ordinary X-rays is sufficient for such a fatal effect.

Genetic mutations

Of all the effects of radiation, genetic disorders are the least studied. In general, they can be divided into two groups. The first is a change in the structure or number of chromosomes. The second is mutations within the genes themselves. They can also be divided into dominant (in the first generation) and recessive (in subsequent generations). Depending on many factors, some of which are not fully understood by science, any of these genetic disorders can lead to hereditary diseases. At the same time, in some cases these mutations remain undetected.

Much material for research on this problem was provided at the end of the Second World War. A significant number of residents in the surrounding areas survived the deadly attack. However, all these people received a dose of radiation. The consequences of that exposure echoed on the offspring of those caught in the initial destruction zone in 1945. In particular, the number of children born with Down syndrome and other developmental disorders has increased.

Man-made radioactivity

The main danger to humans and other living organisms emanating from the radiation factor is the so-called. man-made radioactivity. It arises as a result of human economic activity. In the 20th century, people learned to redistribute and concentrate radionuclides and thus significantly change the natural radioactive background.

To a lesser extent, human factors include the extraction and combustion of natural resources and the use of aviation. However, the most dangerous radiation threat arises from the use of nuclear weapons, as well as the development of the nuclear industry and energy. The most tragic disasters involving exposure of many people are caused by accidents at such infrastructure facilities. Thus, since 1986, the name of the city of Chernobyl has become a household name throughout the world. Its tragic story forced the world community to reconsider its attitude towards nuclear energy.

Radiation and animals

In modern science, the effects of radiation on animals are studied within the framework of a special discipline - radiobiology. In general, the effects of radiation exposure on tetrapods are similar to those experienced by humans. Radiation primarily affects the immune system. Biological barriers that prevent infections from penetrating into the body are destroyed, causing the number of leukocytes in the blood to decrease, the skin to lose its bactericidal properties, etc.

As the degree of exposure increases, the consequences of contact with radiation become more fatal. In the worst case, the body finds itself defenseless against exogenous infections and harmful microflora. leads to death within the first week. Young animals die faster. Death can occur not only after direct exposure, but also after eating contaminated food or water. This relationship shows that the consequences of radiation for nature are no less dangerous than for animals or people.