The effects of radiation on the human body
Radioactive materials are hazardous.
Radioactive emissions cause dangerous ionisationProcess by which electrons can be added or removed from an atom to create an ion. by removing electrons from atoms.
When this happens with molecules in living cells, the genetic material of a cell (the DNAThe part of the cells of living things that carries information about how they look and function. Everyoneâs DNA is different, except identical twins who share the same DNA.) is damaged.
This can lead to cancer.
Radiation can also deposit large amounts of energy into the body, which can damage or destroy cells completely.
Key points
- alpha nuclear radiationParticles or waves given out by the nucleus of an unstable atom. Alpha particles, beta particles and gamma waves are the three most common types of nuclear radiation. is not as dangerous if the radioactive source is outside the body, because it cannot pass through the skin and is unlikely to reach cells inside the body;
- beta and gamma radiation can penetrate the skin and cause damage to cells inside the body;
- alpha radiation will damage cells if the radioactive source has been breathed in as a gas or dust or if it is swallowed.
Some of the effects that radiation has on a human body are shown below.
| Eyes | High doses can cause cataracts. |
| Thyroid | Radioactive iodine can build up and cause cancer, particularly during growth. |
| Lungs | Breathing in radioisotopes can damage DNA. |
| Stomach | Radioactive isotopes can sit in the stomach and irradiate for a long time. |
| Reproductive organs | High doses can cause sterility or mutations. |
| Skin | Radiation can burn skin or cause cancer. |
| Bone marrow | Radiation can cause leukaemia and other diseases of the blood. |
| Eyes |
| High doses can cause cataracts. |
| Thyroid |
| Radioactive iodine can build up and cause cancer, particularly during growth. |
| Lungs |
| Breathing in radioisotopes can damage DNA. |
| Stomach |
| Radioactive isotopes can sit in the stomach and irradiate for a long time. |
| Reproductive organs |
| High doses can cause sterility or mutations. |
| Skin |
| Radiation can burn skin or cause cancer. |
| Bone marrow |
| Radiation can cause leukaemia and other diseases of the blood. |