RISK FROM RADIATION
EXPOSURE
Introduction

Myths created by the film industry
– Spider Man, The Hulk, Teenage Mutant
Ninja Turtles
– Radioactive Material Glows
Risk
 The
statistical probability that
personal injury will result from
some action
– smoking, speeding, extreme sports, ect.
– ionizing radiation exposure
Ionizing Radiation Exposure
Effects

Somatic Effect (Prompt or Delayed)
– Stochastic Effect (Cancer) - probability of effect
occurring increases as doses increases. No Threshold
– Non-Stochastic Effect (Cataracts) - severity of the
effect varies with dosage. Threshold dose

Teratogenic Effects (Offspring while in-utero)
– mental retardation
– malformations
Ionizing Radiation Exposure
Effects (Con’t)

Genetic Effects (Future Generations)
– Anemia
– Epilepsy
– Diabetes
– Asthma
Ionizing Radiation Exposure
Effects (Con’t)

Genetic Effects (Future Generations)
– Anemia
– Epilepsy
– Diabetes
– Asthma

Natural genetic mutation rate (U.S.) - 10.5%
Ionizing Radiation Exposure
Effects (Con’t)

Genetic Effects (Future Generations)
–
–
–
–

Anemia
Epilepsy
Diabetes
Asthma
Natural genetic mutation rate (U.S.) - 10.5%
 No genetic effects witnessed in humans
Physical Factors of
Effects
 Acute
dose vs. Chronic Dose
Physical Factors of
Effects
 Acute
dose vs. Chronic Dose
 Whole body irradiation vs. partial
body irradiation
Problems with Models
 Cancers
are indistinguishable
 Ionizing radiation is not only cause
of cancer
 Long latency period of cancer
 Cannot perform human experiment
 Studies may suggest radiation as the
cause of cancer but cannot identify
Cancer Facts
What is cancer? - uncontrolled
growth and spread of abnormal cells
 Causes - Many
Risk increases after age 40
 Risk factors
– Personal Habits, Environmental
factors, Occupational hazards
Cancer Facts (Con’t)

Prob. of developing cancer in U.S. (from
birth to age 74)
– 40% Male/Female
 Death of cancer victims
– 50% of personnel who develop cancer
will die
 Overall death rate from cancer
– 20%
Cancers frequently linked
to radiation
Breast cancer
Thyroid cancer
Leukemia
Radiation Risk Estimate

Relative-Risk Coefficient - The fractional
increase in the baseline incidence or
mortality rate for unit dose (4 x 10-4 )
 If 10,000 indiv. received one rem each over
background during their life, 4 additional
deaths would occur of the 2,000 that would
naturally occur
Is Radiation Safe?
 Safer than
normal risk associated
with many activities encountered
daily
Something Extra
 Irradiating
 Radon
Food
Summary
 There
may be a slight increase in
the risk of developing cancer