Radiation is not something that is found only in science laboratories both in fictional films and in real life. Although there is a lot of press coverage when it comes to facilities which experiment with radiation and create radiation as a by-product of energy production, radiation itself is more a part of our lives in general than we may suspect.



In fact, we are exposed to one form of radiation every day, the ultra violet radiation caused by the sun. In addition, people are frequently subjected to radiation when they go for X rays at the dentist, doctor, or orthodontist. And of course, there are those of us who work in areas where radiation is a regular part of the day.

The problem with radiation, of course, is that although it provides a sure fire energy source, it can also be very dangerous. Even the mildest forms (UV) have been linked positively to skin cancer, and those working around ?forced? types of radiation increase their risk of this and other types of disease and side effects. Let's take a quick look at side effects that can come about with exposure to radiation beyond skin cancer.

Radiation sickness. The most common reaction after exposure to a high dose of radiation over a short period of time. This is quite common in patients who are being treated for cancer, as radiation therapy will kill cancer cells and slow down the disease's progression. Radiation sickness affects the organs of the body, resulting in disrupted functions that may manifest themselves in nausea, headaches, and a general feeling of coldness.

Radiation burns. Radiation burns occur when a part of the body is subjected to a high dose of radiation. In effect it is the same as radiation sickness, but occurs on a part of the body that is able to sustain more radiation than others (the hands and feet). The entire body of an individual will feel the effects as the radiation travels, but its measured impact is much lower than the area where the radiation exposure occurred.

It is very important to take the proper precautions when working with radiation in order to minimize the chances of these side effects. Proper shielding and clothing to protect the health of workers and the general population is needed anywhere exposure to radiation might occur.