Radiation Exposure

Radiation Exposure Do you know much radiation you are exposed to everyday? Many people are not aware of the radiation levels around them on a daily basis. I believe that exposure to radiation should be minimal. I think protection and prevention is vital. Being aware of the health risks and what can be done to protect yourself should be a well known piece of knowledge. If followed, this knowledge can help reduce radiation exposure levels. Exposure to radiation is higher today than it has ever been before according to Alice Park. Radiation is around you constantly, every day. Radiation has a greater presence when an individual flies on an airplane, smokes cigarettes, receives x-rays, watches television, and uses the microwave. Although not all radiation exposure can be controlled, radiation from x-rays can be kept at a minimum. Radiologic technologists are very careful about how much radiation that the patient has absorbed and what kind of radiation they are exposed to. Gamma ray radiation is the most powerful and damaging of all the radiation particles. Alpha and Beta particles are much weaker and not as harmful. Take for example the Computed Tomography Scan (C.T. scan). A C.T. scan emits gamma rays in large doses. The amount of radiation that an individual is exposed to can be compared to 400 dental x-rays or five-one hour flights. Gamma ray radiation is not what you would want to be openly exposed to. Gamma rays can cause damage over time. I believe protection and prevention of radiation exposure should be a top priority. A commonly asked question about radiation exposure deals with the health risks. Are there any health risks? Take for example aspirin. There are risks for taking aspirin if you take too much. Likewise, radiation when given out in large doses increases health risks. One type of radiation called ionizing radiation can change the structure of the cells in your body according to the Health Physics Society. By changing the structure of the cells

Cited: Environmental Protection Agency. “Radiation Protection Basics.” EPA, 2009. Web. 18 Oct. 2012. < http://www.epa.gov/rpdweb00/understand/protection_basics.html >. Health Physics Society. “Radiation Exposure.” HPS, 2007. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. . Health Physics Society. “Types of Radiation”. HPS, 2007. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. < http://www.radiationanswers.org/radiation-introduction/radiation-types.html >. Park, Alice. “Radiation Risks.” Radiation Vol. 179 (2012): 22-23 Vocational and Career Collection. Web. 23 Oct. 2012.