What are the benefits and dangers of radioactivity?
Risks of Radiation
- Weighing the Radiation Risks of CT, X-ray and Other Imaging. When X-ray radiation is absorbed within our bodies, it can damage molecular structures and potentially cause harm.
- Risks of Radiation vs. Benefits of Radiation. ...
- Alternative Perspective Regarding Risk. ...
- Risks in Context. ...
- Risk Comparisons. ...
How does radioactivity benefit and hurt us?
The magnetic fields that change with time create loud knocking noises which may harm hearing if adequate ear protection is not used. They may also cause peripheral muscle or nerve stimulation that may feel like a twitching sensation. The radiofrequency energy used during the MRI scan could lead to heating of the body.
How does radioactivity benefit to society?
“It’s really all about reducing the burden of prostate cancer on society,” said Dr. Mark K. Buyyounouski, professor of radiation oncology (radiation therapy) and director of genitourinary cancers at Stanford University in California, in an interview with CURE®.
What are the effects of radioactivity?
Materials and methods
- Materials. For in vitro studies we used B16 melanoma cell line (cat. ...
- Instrumentation. The measurements were performed using a computer controlled Ivium potentiostat with IviumSoft version 2.219 (Ivium Technologies, Eindhoven, The Netherlands).
- Procedures. ...
- Statistical analysis. ...
What is the importance of radioactivity?
Radioactivity is both an important element of internal earth dynamics and a powerful tool for geologists. It is the main source of deep heat of the planet, and then responsible for its internal past and present dynamics.
What are the 10 uses of radioactivity?
In light of the nuclear tragedy in Japan, here are my top 10 uses for radiation that are not making electricity or blowing stuff up.Security. ... Space Exploration. ... Measurement. ... Sterilization/Irradiation. ... Carbon Dating. ... Promoting Genetic Mutation. ... Clean Air.Smoke Detectors.More items...•
Is radioactive a good thing?
Although it can be destructive, radioactivity can also be beneficial, especially when it comes to medical tests and certain medical treatments. Not only can radiation find tumors within the body, it can also destroy them or slow their growth.
What are the benefits to using radioactivity in medicine?
Nuclear medicine procedures help detect and treat diseases by using a small amount of radioactive material, called a radiopharmaceutical. Some radiopharmaceuticals are used with imaging equipment to detect diseases. Radiopharmaceuticals can also be placed inside the body near a cancerous tumor to shrink or destroy it.
How is radioactivity used in everyday life?
Many uses of radiation help to ensure the high quality and safety of our daily lives. Smoke detectors to warn us of fire, x-ray machines to detect weapons or other devices in luggage and cargo, and certain types of imaging to look for diseases are all application of radiation for the benefit of society.
What types of radiation are useful to humans?
Hospitals use radiation in a wide range of ways. X-Ray, CT, and PET machines use X-ray (X-ray and CT) and Gamma radiation (PET) to produce detailed images of the human body, which provide valuable diagnostic information for doctors and their patients.
Do we need radiation to live?
It comes from natural uranium and thorium (and their decay products) in the Earth's crust, from a naturally radioactive form of potassium (which we all need to survive), from cosmic radiation, and many other sources. Humans and all life on the planet have evolved in a naturally radioactive environment.
How did radioactivity change the world?
The discovery of radioactivity changed our ideas about matter and energy and of causality's place in the universe. It led to further discoveries and to advances in instrumentation, medicine, and energy production. It increased opportunities for women in science.
What are the benefits of using radiation as a medical tool list three benefits from the article or your own research?
CT enables more effective medical management, and its benefits include:Determining when surgeries are necessary.Reducing the need for exploratory surgeries.Improving cancer diagnosis and treatment.Reducing the length of hospitalizations.Guiding treatment of common conditions such as injury, cardiac disease and stroke.More items...
How does radiation help us?
This allows researchers to study such things as the paths that different types of air and water pollution take through the environment. Similarly, radiation has helped us learn more about the types of soil that different plants need to grow, the sizes of newly discovered oil fields , and the tracks of ocean currents.
What is radiation used for?
Today, to benefit humankind, radiation is used in medicine, academics, and industry, as well as for generating electricity. In addition, radiation has useful applications in such areas as ...
Why is radiation used in plants?
Besides making plants stronger, radiation can be used to control insect populations, thereby decreasing the use of dangerous pesticides. Radioactive material is also used in gauges that measure the thickness of eggshells to screen out thin, breakable eggs before they are packaged in egg cartons.
Why do we need to use x-rays?
In irradiation, for instance, foods, medical equipment, and other substances are exposed to certain types of radiation (such as x-rays) to kill germs without harming the substance that is being disinfected — and without making it radioactive.
Why do we use gamma rays on food?
Similarly, nonstick cookware is treated with gamma rays to keep food from sticking to the metal surface. The agricultural industry makes use of radiation to improve food production and packaging . Plant seeds, for example, have been exposed to radiation to bring about new and better types of plants.
How do scientists use nuclear materials?
Universities, colleges, high schools, and other academic and scientific institutions use nuclear materials in course work, laboratory demonstrations, experimental research, and a variety of health physics applications. For example, just as doctors can label substances inside people's bodies, scientists can label substances that pass through plants, animals, or our world. This allows researchers to study such things as the paths that different types of air and water pollution take through the environment. Similarly, radiation has helped us learn more about the types of soil that different plants need to grow, the sizes of newly discovered oil fields, and the tracks of ocean currents. In addition, researchers use low-energy radioactive sources in gas chromatography to identify the components of petroleum products, smog and cigarette smoke, and even complex proteins and enzymes used in medical research.
What is the purpose of X-rays?
When used in this way, they are most often intended to kill cancerous tissue, reduce the size of a tumor, or reduce pain. For example, radioactive iodine (specifically iodine-131) is frequently used to treat thyroid cancer, a disease that strikes about 11,000 Americans ...
What is the purpose of ionizing radiation?
Radiation Protection Activity. Ionizing radiation has so much energy it can knock electrons out of atoms. But, when used properly, ionizing radiation has useful applications in the world around us. Food irradiation does not make food radioactive, but kills harmful bacteria that can make us sick. Nuclear medicine can help treat illnesses like cancer.
Is radiation a part of our daily lives?
Radiation is a part of our daily lives.
Is radiation controversial?
Some uses of radiation may be more controversial than others. Allow students to comment on or debate the issues. Explain that agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) help monitor and manage potential impacts and protect us and our environment from radiation exposure or contamination.
What are the benefits of CT?
CT enables more effective medical management, and its benefits include: 1 Determining when surgeries are necessary 2 Reducing the need for exploratory surgeries 3 Improving cancer diagnosis and treatment 4 Reducing the length of hospitalizations 5 Guiding treatment of common conditions such as injury, cardiac disease and stroke 6 Improving patient placement into appropriate areas of care, such as an intensive care unit
Why is imaging important in medicine?
The modern use of imaging has been one of the great advances made in the practice of medicine, allowing doctors to diagnose and manage their patients’ diseases safely and rapidly. Many of today’s medical improvements require tests using radiation to confirm diagnoses, plan management, and monitor the response to treatment.
Is radiation good for imaging?
Much has recently been written about radiation, so it is important to have some understanding of imaging performed using radiation, especially the benefits to the patient along with the associated risks. Keep in mind that the radiation doses used in medical radiological imaging examinations like computed tomography ...
Is CT radiation used for cancer?
Keep in mind that the radiation doses used in medical radiological imaging examinations like computed tomography (CT) and X-ray scan s are much lower than those used in radiation oncology, which uses radiation as a therapy to treat cancer. Radiology (imaging) and radiotherapy (cancer treatment) are quite different.
What are the uses of radioactivity?
Uses of radioactivity in everyday life include irradiation for the sterilization of consumer goods, radiography for security measures (such as X-ray machines in airports), and nuclear medicine. Today’s lifesaving medical practices, procedures, and devices would not be possible without radioactive materials.
What are radioisotopes used for?
Interestingly enough, one of the most common uses of radioisotopes today is in household smoke detectors and alarms. These critical devices have the potential to save lives and property because the low-level radioactive material they contain can detect the presence of smoke or heat sources.
What is the natural occurrence of radiation?
The natural occurrence of radiation is an ongoing process all around us. We can describe radiation simply as energy that travels through space, time, and other mediums. Radiation sources include both electromagnetic waves and particles emitted by natural materials. These sources can be sound, light, or heat.
What are some examples of foods that are radioactive?
Other consumable examples include brazil nuts, carrots, red meat, and potatoes. Since we eat these foods, we are also slightly radioactive, but it presents no hazard to our health.
Is the sun a source of cosmic radiation?
Radiation comes down to three categories: terrestrial (rocks, soil, plants, building materials), human-made (for specific purposes), and space (cosmic). The sun itself is a significant source of cosmic radiation, but our low exposure to its rays at a background level is not dangerously harmful with the right protection.
What is radioactivity in science?
radioactivity, property exhibited by certain types of matter of emitting energy and subatomic particles spontaneously. It is, in essence, an attribute of individual atomic nuclei. An unstable nucleus will decompose spontaneously, or decay, into a more stable configuration but will do so only in a few specific ways by emitting certain particles ...
What is radioactive decay?
Radioactive decay is a property of several naturally occurring elements as well as of artificially produced isotopes of the elements. The rate at which a radioactive element decays is expressed in terms of its half-life; i.e., the time required for one-half of any given quantity of the isotope to decay.
What are the particles that are responsible for radioactive decay?
The emissions of the most common forms of spontaneous radioactive decay are the alpha (α) particle, the beta (β) particle, the gamma (γ) ray, and the neutrino. The alpha particle is actually the nucleus of a helium-4 atom, with two positive charges 4/2 He. Such charged atoms are called ions.
What are the two types of radioactivity associated with uranium and thorium?
The early work on natural radioactivity associated with uranium and thorium ores identified two distinct types of radioactivity: alpha and beta decay.
What is the antiparticle of the electron?
The beta plus particle, also called the positron, is the antiparticle of the electron; when brought together, two such particles will mutually annihilate each other. Gamma rays are electromagnetic radiations such as radio waves, light, and X-rays.
Medical Uses
- Hospitals, doctors, and dentists use a variety of nuclear materials and procedures to diagnose, monitor, and treat a wide assortment of metabolic processes and medical conditions in humans. In fact, diagnostic x-rays or radiation therapy have been administered to about 7 out of every 10 Americans. As a result, medical procedures using radiation have saved thousands of lives throu…
Academic and Scientific Applications
- Universities, colleges, high schools, and other academic and scientific institutions use nuclear materials in course work, laboratory demonstrations, experimental research, and a variety of health physicsapplications. For example, just as doctors can label substances inside people's bodies, scientists can label substances that pass through plants, animals, or our world. This allo…
Industrial Uses
- We could talk all day about the many and varied uses of radiation in industry and not complete the list, but a few examples illustrate the point. In irradiation, for instance, foods, medical equipment, and other substances are exposed to certain types of radiation (such as x-rays) to kill germs without harming the substance that is being disinfected — and without making it radioactive. Wh…
Nuclear Power Plants
- Electricity produced by nuclear fission — splitting the atom— is one of the greatest uses of radiation. As our country becomes a nation of electricity users, we need a reliable, abundant, clean, and affordable source of electricity. We depend on it to give us light, to help us groom and feed ourselves, to keep our homes and businesses running, and ...