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Physical Hazards of Space Exploration and the Biological Bases of Behavioral Health and Performance in Extreme Environments
Published in Lauren Blackwell Landon, Kelley J. Slack, Eduardo Salas, Psychology and Human Performance in Space Programs, 2020
Julia M. Schorn, Peter G. Roma
Radiation is energy emitted in the form of particles, electromagnetic waves, and/or rays. In the electromagnetic spectrum, radiation can be seen in the form of visible light and felt in the form of infrared radiation. High-energy photons, X-rays, and gamma rays are not visible to the naked eye, but can be observed with special telescopes. There are three kinds of space radiation: particles trapped in the Earth’s magnetic field, solar particle events (SPEs), and galactic cosmic rays (GCRs). SPEs occur when solar flares explode on the surface of the sun, as they release massive amounts of energy in the form of protons, electrons, and HZE particles (Cucinotta, Townsend, Wilson, Golightly, & Weyland, 1994). GCR comprises nuclei from atoms that have had their surrounding electrons stripped away and are travelling at nearly the speed of light. Importantly, radiation is physical—it has mass, and exposure to radiation means particles physically entering or passing through the body and causing damage at the tissue, cell, and DNA levels. Radiation naturally exists throughout the universe; however, the Earth’s protective atmosphere and magnetic field shield us from most of it. In deep space, just the background dose rate of radiation is even higher than that on the ISS, the sun’s 11-year cycle culminates in a rapid increase of SPEs, and there is little to no natural protection from radiation.
Nanomedicine for Radiation Therapy
Published in Sarwar Beg, Mahfoozur Rahman, Md. Abul Barkat, Farhan J. Ahmad, Nanomedicine for the Treatment of Disease, 2019
Radiation therapy applies high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells (see Figure 17.1). It is found that cancer cells dividing in an unregulated manner were more susceptible and more prone to radiation-induced DNA damage (Chen et al., 2014; Schaue, 2015). The history of radiation dated back to 1895 when Roentgen discovered X-ray and three years later when Marie Curie and Pierre Curie discovered radioactivity of radium (Connell, 2009). The first record for clinical use of ionizing radiation in cancer treatment was in late 19th century shortly after Roentgen’s discovery (Sgantzos, 2014). From then on, the applications of radiation spread to many different types of cancers including head and neck, breast, cervix, prostate, eye, and thyroid cancer (Connell, 2009). Nowadays, radiation therapy is serving as curative, adjuvant, neoadjuvant or palliative therapy in cancer management and has become a common intervention for certain malignancies. More than 60% of the cancer patients receive radiotherapy in their course of treatment (Delaney, 2005; Durante, 2010).
Biological and Health Effects of Radiation
Published in Philip T. Underhill, Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material, 2018
Large doses of radiation can cause gross biological damage to the body and in some instances even death. However, the body can tolerate fairly high doses of radiation without experiencing adverse effects. A dose of 25,000 to 50,000 millirem (25 to 50 rem, 250 to 500 millisieverts) is required before there will be any medical evidence of the exposure. This evidence consists of mostly minor changes to blood chemistry and white blood cell count. Exposure totaling 100,000 millirem (100 rem, 15 sieverts) or more is required before radiation sickness is evidenced in most individuals. Symptoms of radiation poisoning include headache, fever, body aches, nausea, and diarrhea. At increasing doses above this level, the spectrum and severity of symptoms increase. Eventually, intellectual impairment, tremors, and coma would result, usually preceding death. Depending upon the general health of the individual and the availability of medical assistance, doses in excess of 500 to 1000 rem (5 to 10 sieverts) usually prove to be fatal. The likely effects of various, very large, and acute doses of penetrating radiation are listed in Table 4.1.
Radiation Compatibility of Geopolymer, Polymer, and Composite Materials for Use as Inner Shielding in Radioactive Waste Containers—A Simulation-Based Study
Published in Nuclear Technology, 2022
Radioactive waste is generated in a wide variety of practices and activities involving radioactive materials, such as the operation of radiation and nuclear facilities; the use of sealed radioactive sources in medicine, industry, and research; and the decommissioning of such facilities. From its generation until disposal, radioactive waste may go through several stages of management, including treatment and conditioning. In all of these stages, radioactive waste may be stored, waiting for either the next processing step or disposal. Storage of radioactive waste is its placement into a storage facility with the intention of retrieving it for further processing or disposal.1 Disposal of radioactive waste is aimed at providing long-term isolation of radioactive waste from people and the environment. Contrary to storage, disposal is the placement of radioactive waste into a disposal facility with no intention for retrieval.2
Radioactivity investigation of water and aerosols in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Published in Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects, 2019
Muhammad Zubair, Amrou Ismail, Hamad Mohammed, Sayed Azam, Ahmed Ishag
Radiation emerges from many sources, both natural and from the modern application. In general, radiation can be categorized by its energy into the main two groups: ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation has energy more than 10 electron Volts (eV), which is the energy needed to liberate electrons from an atom, ultimately destroying the chemical bonds between atoms.α, β, or γ radiation are types of ionizing radiation. Radiation monitoring is the measurement of radiation dose or radionuclide contamination in the environment (air, water, soil, etc.). Furthermore, ionizing radiation is dangerous and potentially toxic to living beings (UNSCEAR 2000), with serious possible damage to body tissue that may lead to cell death. In addition, long exposure to radiation will result in the development of cancer and other heritable diseases. On the other hand, ionizing radiation can be used as a therapy for cancer which is a great method that results in great prognosis in cancer treatment.
A Study of a Dose Constraint for Members of the Public Living Around Nuclear Power Plants in the United States
Published in Nuclear Technology, 2018
Tae Young Kong, Gamal Akabani, John W. Poston
The application of ionizing radiation, including that from nuclear power plants (NPPs), provides both risks and benefits. Although NPPs provide significant benefits to society by providing reliable electricity production, the public is very sensitive to potential radiation exposures. Even though radiation exposures are an unavoidable byproduct of living on earth, nuclear-electric generation has increased the public’s fear of nuclear technology and radiation exposure. It is well known that high radiation exposure may cause severe health effects in humans and can lead to the development of many types of cancer, some of which may be fatal. Therefore, the operation of NPPs requires special regulatory controls to ensure that these facilities are operated and controlled properly.