Radiation is the most common phenomenon in the universe and pervades every corner.
Every day we are surrounded by all kinds of radiation, such as all kinds of light, reflections, radio waves from household appliances, wifi and so on.
But this non-ionizing radiation is almost impossible to feel due to its low density and low power, and it will not hurt a single hair after many years.
So how much energy radiation will cause harm to the human body? Take you to understand the dangers of nuclear radiation today!
Sources and types of nuclear radiation
The main sources of nuclear radiation include the following:
1. Nuclear power generation: Nuclear reactors in nuclear power plants produce radioactive materials such as uranium and plutonium, which release radiation such as α, β, and γ rays.
2. Nuclear weapons testing: Nuclear weapons testing refers to nuclear weapon explosion tests conducted by countries or organizations, which release large amounts of nuclear radiation and have serious effects on the environment and human health.
3. Radiomedicine: Radiomedicine refers to the process of using radioisotopes for medical diagnosis and treatment. For example, X-rays, CT scans, radionuclide therapy, etc. all produce radiation.
4. Radioactive material leakage: Radioactive material leakage refers to an accident or leak at a nuclear facility or nuclear waste storage site, resulting in the release of radioactive material into the environment. For example, the Chernobyl nuclear accident and the Fukushima nuclear accident are classic examples of radioactive material leaks.
5. Natural radioactive materials: There are some natural radioactive materials on the earth, such as uranium, thorium, potassium, etc., which naturally decay and release radiation. These substances exist in natural environments such as soil, rocks, and water, and human beings will be exposed to a certain degree of radiation when exposed to these environments for a long time.
There are three main types of nuclear radiation: α rays, β rays and γ rays.
α rays are positively charged particles composed of helium nuclei, and their penetration ability is weak, as long as a piece of paper can be blocked, but inhalation into the body is harmful
β rays are streams of electrons, and burns are evident after irradiating the skin. Due to the small penetration of these two rays, the impact distance is relatively close, as long as the radiation source does not enter the body, the impact will not be too large;
γ rays are a type of electromagnetic wave with a high penetration ability, can penetrate substances from several centimeters to several meters, and can even penetrate the human body. Therefore, more stringent measures such as heavy lead shielding are required for protection against γ rays.
Second, the effects of nuclear radiation on the human body
The effects of nuclear radiation on the human body can be divided into short-term effects, long-term effects, and high-dose radiation effects.
Generally speaking, when the radiation dose is greater than 4000mSv, it will be life-threatening, but it can still be treated; When it is greater than 6000mSv, it is difficult to treat; When it is greater than 8000mSv, it is basically helpless.
Short-term effects: Acute radiation sickness may occur when the human body is exposed to high doses of nuclear radiation. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, fever, and fatigue. Severe radiation sickness can lead to bone marrow suppression, preventing the body from producing enough blood cells, leading to complications such as infection and bleeding.
Long-term effects: Long-term exposure to low doses of nuclear radiation may damage a cell's DNA, leading to cell mutations and the development of cancer. Common radiation-related cancers include thyroid, lung, breast and leukemia.
Effects of high doses of radiation: High doses of radiation exposure can cause serious health problems, including acute radiation sickness, tissue damage, and reproductive problems. High doses of radiation can directly damage a cell's DNA, leading to cell death and tissue damage. In addition, high doses of radiation can cause damage to the reproductive system, leading to infertility or birth defects.
Nuclear radiation is ubiquitous in nature, but because the energy is small and the harm is not great, only the radioactive substances leaked in nuclear explosions or nuclear power plant accidents can cause large-scale harm to the human body.
Third, how to protect yourself from nuclear radiation
1. Use of protective measures: In a nuclear radiation environment, wear appropriate protective equipment such as protective clothing, gloves, masks and goggles to reduce radiation exposure.
2. Closed buildings: If it is not possible to stay away from the radiation source, try to stay in the closed building and close the doors and windows to reduce the possibility of radiation entering the room.
3. Food and water safety: Avoid eating or touching contaminated food and water sources, and try to choose safe food and drinking water.
4. Follow instructions and recommendations: Follow the instructions and recommendations issued by the local government or relevant agencies for nuclear radiation protection, obtain the latest information in a timely manner, and act in accordance with the instructions.
5. Regular health checks: If exposed to nuclear radiation for a long time, conduct regular radiation monitoring and health checks to detect and deal with any potential health problems in a timely manner.
Fourth, to prevent and control radiation, you can eat more of the following foods:
【Vegetables】Eat more carrots, bean sprouts, tomatoes, kelp, cabbage, to ensure the intake of vitamins, which is effective for the prevention and treatment of radiation damage and recovery after injury, such as VK can reduce bleeding, VP reduces vomiting, nausea, VC accelerates blood cell regeneration, etc.
【Meat】Eat more lean meat, animal liver, pay attention to reduce fat intake, to increase the proportion of vegetable oil, of which oleic acid can promote the regeneration function of the hematopoietic system, and the best effect on preventing and treating radiation damage.
【Drink】Drink more green tea and drink more honey water.
In addition, it should be noted that the supply of inorganic salts should be increased. Increasing an appropriate amount of inorganic salts (mainly table salt) in the diet can promote the increase of people's water intake, accelerate the excretion of radionuclides with urine and feces, thereby reducing the damage of internal radiation.