The Effects of
Electromagnetic
Radiation on Living
Things and the
Environment
Explain the effects of electromagnetic radiation
on living things and the environment. (S10 – FE –
Iie – f – 49)
Below are the lists of the types of electromagnetic radiation.
Categorize them as ionizing or non-ionizing radiation in a table.
X-RAY
GAMMA RAY
MICROWAVE
INFRARED
BETA
VISIBLE LIGHT
ULTRAVIOLET
NEUTRON
Ionizing Radiation
GAMMA
ALPHA
RADIO FREQUENCIES
Non-ionizing Radiation
How is non-ionizing radiation differ from
ionizing radiation?
◆What
type of Radiation is
dangerous to living things and to
our environment?
◆What unit is being used by
scientist to measure radiation?
◆What is the risk from exposure to
ionizing and Non-ionizing
radiation?
Non-Ionizing Radiation
Non-Ionizing Radiation is a type
of low-energy radiation. Most
types of non-ionizing radiation
have not been found to cause
cancer.
1. Extremely Low Frequencies
Extremely low frequency (ELF) waves are on the
far end of the electromagnetic spectrum and come
from power lines, electrical equipment and wiring,
and electrical appliances such as electric blankets,
refrigerators, razors and hair dryers. ELF waves can
go through water so they are also used for detection
by submarines. According to the National Cancer
Institute, there is no experimental evidence showing
that normal levels of ELF radiation are dangerous to
humans.
2. Radio Waves
◆
Radio broadcasts, Wi-Fi signals, cell phones, television and
airport security scanners use radio frequency (RF) waves.
This type of non-ionizing radiation is absorbed throughout
the body. The effects of RF waves on the body are similar
to MW radiation in terms of heat generation. Exposure to
electromagnetic fields in this frequency range can warm up
exposed tissues because these absorb the radio wave and
convert these into heat. The frequency level determines
the depth of penetration into the body. For example, using
a cell phone causes the ear and/or head to get warm.
Warming up by this radiation is the most dangerous for
the brain, eyes, genitals, stomach, liver and kidneys.
There is no scientific proof that RF non-ionizing radiation
increases the risk of cancer or causes any harmful effects
on
the
body.
3. Microwave
Microwave radiation (MW) comes
from
microwave
ovens,
radar,
transmission
towers,
satellite
transmissions, the sun and Cosmic
Microwave
Background
(CMB)
radiation.
Overexposure
to
MW
radiation can cause cataracts and skin
burns.
4. Infrared
IR radiation is used in furnaces, heat lamps, toasters, nightvision goggles and the lasers seen on TV remote controls. About
half of the total energy the sun gives off is in the form of IR
radiation, which we feel as heat. In large amounts, this type of
radiation can damage the eyes and even cause blindness. IR
radiation from the sun is normally absorbed by the Earth’s
surface and the clouds, then released as heat into the
atmosphere. When the atmosphere has a lot of water vapor,
along with nitrogen, sulfur and fluorocarbons, the IR radiation
gets trapped and causes the atmospheric temperature to rise.
This is called the greenhouse effect. Temperature increases like
this cause changes in the weather patterns on Earth and lead to
climate change.
5. Visible Light
The visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum
can be seen by humans, animals and other organisms. This
type of light consists of seven colors: red, orange, yellow,
green, blue, indigo and violet. When all the colors are
present at one time, the light is white. Rainbows are
created when visible light passes through raindrops. The
raindrops act like a prism and break the light down into its
individual colors. Overexposure to visible light can damage
both the eyes and skin.
6. Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation comes from the sun,
welding, and UV lasers. UV light are important
for humans in the production of Vitamin D.
However, the effects of overexposure to UV
rays can be negative and can be immediate or
delayed. Sunburn, skin cancer and cataracts
develop over time with excessive exposure.
Ionizing Radiation
Ionizing radiation is a type of energy released by atoms in
the form of electromagnetic waves or particles. People are
exposed to natural sources of ionizing radiation, such as in
soil, water, and vegetation, as well as in human-made
sources, such as x-rays and medical devices. As the use of
ionizing radiation increases, so does the potential for
health hazards if not properly used or contained.
1. X-Rays
All X-rays are dangerous because they
can damage healthy living cells of the
body. This is the reason why frequent
exposure to X-rays should be avoided.
Too much exposure to X-rays can
damage body tissues and can cause
cancer.
Nuclear Radiation
2. Alpha Radiation
They can’t penetrate to the surface of the skin. Inside
the body, however, they can be very harmful. If alphaemitters are inhaled, swallowed, or get into the body
through a cut, the alpha particles can damage sensitive
living tissue. The way these large, heavy particles cause
damage makes them more dangerous than other types of
radiation. The ionizations they cause are very close
together - they can release all their energy in a few cells.
This results in more severe damage to cells and DNA.
3. Beta Radiation
Beta particles are more penetrating than
alpha particles, but are less damaging to living
tissue and DNA. Some beta particles are
capable of penetrating the skin and causing
damage such as skin burns. However, as with
alpha-emitters,
beta-emitters
are
most
hazardous when they are inhaled or
swallowed.
4. Neutron Radiation
These neutrons can either cause cells to
change
their
functionality
or
to
completely stop replicating, causing
damage to the body over time. Neutrons
are particularly damaging to soft tissues
like the cornea of the eye.
5. Gamma Rays
They can destroy living cells, produce gene
mutations, and cause cancer. Ironically, the deadly
effects of gamma rays can be used to treat cancer.
In this type of treatment, a medical device sends
out focused gamma rays that target cancerous cells.
The gamma rays kill the cells and destroy the
cancer.
Effects of Non-Ionizing Radiation
How do cell sites create
disturbance on the navigation
of migratory birds?
◆ What
are the possible effects of detonating
nuclear warheads to humans and environment?
◆ Could
we possibly survive nuclear cataclysm if US
and Russia and other great countries will have
state conflict?
REFERENCES
◆
Visaya, L. S. (2020). Module 3: The Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation on Living Things and the
Environment. La Union Schools Division.
◆
Dongallo, E. (M. 2020). Module 3: The Effects of EM Waves on Living Things and Environment.
Division of Bukidnon.
◆
Batool, S., Bibi, A., Frezza, F., & Mangini, F. (2019). European Review for Medical and
Pharmacological Sciences, 23, 3121-3128.
◆
Grade 10 Science Most Essential Learning Competencies