Key To Terms Of Radiation
An absorbed dose of radiation is measured in "gray" or Gy, this refers to the amount of radiation absorbed by the body.
An effective dose of radiation is measured in "millisieverts" or mSv which refers to the health risks linked to radiation exposure. Sensitivity of certain organs can be studied with mSv.
1 Gy is equal to 1 mSv.
Across the globe humans typically are exposed to 1-10 mSv a year due to natural background of radiation, people are advised to receive no more than 1 mSv from man-made sources.
1-10 rems received in a short or long period of time is safe, no expected harm to body. Considered too small to measure.
10-50 rems is safe, with no expected harm. Over 10 rems your chances of developing cancer is slightly increased.
50-100 rems in a short period of time risks health issues and over a long period of time can risk higher chances of cancer. Above 50 rems will mutate blood cells but they will recover withing a few hours.
100-200 rems will cause nausea and fatigue.
200-300 rems will cause vomiting and nausea within 24-48 hours. Medical attention is recommended.
300-500 rems will cause vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea within a matter of hours. Within weeks hair loss and loss of appetite, medical attention is critical. If you do not receive medical attention death will follow.
500-1,200 rems in a short period of time will most likely kill you.
1,200-10,000 rems in a short period of time will lead to death in a few hours.
Victims Of Chernobyl
Workers at the reactors received anywhere from 2-20 Gy, which ended up being deadly to some workers. It is advised that humans receive no more than 10 mSv a year. Citizens evacuating from Chernobyl were exposed to an estimated 33 mSv but certain individuals could have received several hundred mSv. When food was also exposed to radiation, people received a heavy dosage of radiation to their thyroid gland leading to thyroid cancer. Many children were affected by the consumption of milk from radiated cows, radiated fruits and vegetables, and meat.
Other Effects Of Radiation
Hair: Victims of radiation can loose hair rapidly.
Brain: Brain cells can be killed and since brain cells do not reproduce this can lead to death or seizures.
Thyroid: The thyroid is one of the most sensitive body parts when it comes to radiation . With enough radiation exposure the thyroid can be completely destroyed. A common side effect of radiation is thyroid cancer.
Blood Stream: At the 100 rems mark, victim's blood's lymphocyte will reduce making them more vulnerable to infections. This can lead to a larger risk of leukemia and lymphoma(as seen in victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.) Accelerated aging of blood vessels, especially in the brain, appeared in liquidators. Blood clots or other issues with the circulatory system.
Heart: Heart failure or immediate death.
Psychological: A Russian newspaper noted that 80% of the 1,600 liquidators ended up in St. Petersburg Clinic for serious psychological disorders. 40% suffered from memory loss and neural disorders. Disorders seen are dysphasia, depression, memory dysfunction, and concentration problems.
Dysphasia: Complete or partial impairment of the ability to speak/communicate from brain injury.
Other: Senile cataracts (a disease that is vision impairing, it happens when the lens of the eye gradually thickens.)
Arteriosclerosis (a disease where plaque builds up in the artery walls.)
Premature Myopia is also known as being nearsighted, which is when closer objects are clearer and far away objects are blurry.
Central Nervous System Failure which leads to loss of higher cognitive functions.
Infections and Parasites
Tumors
Malignant Growths
Pregnancies: Around 25,000 wanted pregnancies were terminated due to Chernobyl.
In Sweden during the time of Chernobyl's meltdown, pregnant women had children with Down Syndrome and their children had a higher chance of developing childhood leukemia. Of course, this can be random but these diseases could have been caused by Chernobyl fallout. 86 mothers-to-be living in the Ukraine during Chernobyl were examined. Many mother developed somatic anxiety, which is the physical feelings of general anxiety such as butterflies in your stomach.
In 1987 in Germany the perinatal mortality rate increased by 4.1%. In East Germany it was increased it 7.2% and West Germany rose to 3.5%.
Women who lived in highly contaminated villages in Chernobyl had seen an increase of miscarriages, pregnancy complications, aplastic anaemia, which is when the body stops producing enough fresh blood cells which can lead to higher risks on infection and uncontrolled bleeding, treatment includes blood transfusion or a stem cell transfusion.
An absorbed dose of radiation is measured in "gray" or Gy, this refers to the amount of radiation absorbed by the body.
An effective dose of radiation is measured in "millisieverts" or mSv which refers to the health risks linked to radiation exposure. Sensitivity of certain organs can be studied with mSv.
1 Gy is equal to 1 mSv.
Across the globe humans typically are exposed to 1-10 mSv a year due to natural background of radiation, people are advised to receive no more than 1 mSv from man-made sources.
1-10 rems received in a short or long period of time is safe, no expected harm to body. Considered too small to measure.
10-50 rems is safe, with no expected harm. Over 10 rems your chances of developing cancer is slightly increased.
50-100 rems in a short period of time risks health issues and over a long period of time can risk higher chances of cancer. Above 50 rems will mutate blood cells but they will recover withing a few hours.
100-200 rems will cause nausea and fatigue.
200-300 rems will cause vomiting and nausea within 24-48 hours. Medical attention is recommended.
300-500 rems will cause vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea within a matter of hours. Within weeks hair loss and loss of appetite, medical attention is critical. If you do not receive medical attention death will follow.
500-1,200 rems in a short period of time will most likely kill you.
1,200-10,000 rems in a short period of time will lead to death in a few hours.
Victims Of Chernobyl
Workers at the reactors received anywhere from 2-20 Gy, which ended up being deadly to some workers. It is advised that humans receive no more than 10 mSv a year. Citizens evacuating from Chernobyl were exposed to an estimated 33 mSv but certain individuals could have received several hundred mSv. When food was also exposed to radiation, people received a heavy dosage of radiation to their thyroid gland leading to thyroid cancer. Many children were affected by the consumption of milk from radiated cows, radiated fruits and vegetables, and meat.
Other Effects Of Radiation
Hair: Victims of radiation can loose hair rapidly.
Brain: Brain cells can be killed and since brain cells do not reproduce this can lead to death or seizures.
Thyroid: The thyroid is one of the most sensitive body parts when it comes to radiation . With enough radiation exposure the thyroid can be completely destroyed. A common side effect of radiation is thyroid cancer.
Blood Stream: At the 100 rems mark, victim's blood's lymphocyte will reduce making them more vulnerable to infections. This can lead to a larger risk of leukemia and lymphoma(as seen in victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.) Accelerated aging of blood vessels, especially in the brain, appeared in liquidators. Blood clots or other issues with the circulatory system.
Heart: Heart failure or immediate death.
Psychological: A Russian newspaper noted that 80% of the 1,600 liquidators ended up in St. Petersburg Clinic for serious psychological disorders. 40% suffered from memory loss and neural disorders. Disorders seen are dysphasia, depression, memory dysfunction, and concentration problems.
Dysphasia: Complete or partial impairment of the ability to speak/communicate from brain injury.
Other: Senile cataracts (a disease that is vision impairing, it happens when the lens of the eye gradually thickens.)
Arteriosclerosis (a disease where plaque builds up in the artery walls.)
Premature Myopia is also known as being nearsighted, which is when closer objects are clearer and far away objects are blurry.
Central Nervous System Failure which leads to loss of higher cognitive functions.
Infections and Parasites
Tumors
Malignant Growths
Pregnancies: Around 25,000 wanted pregnancies were terminated due to Chernobyl.
In Sweden during the time of Chernobyl's meltdown, pregnant women had children with Down Syndrome and their children had a higher chance of developing childhood leukemia. Of course, this can be random but these diseases could have been caused by Chernobyl fallout. 86 mothers-to-be living in the Ukraine during Chernobyl were examined. Many mother developed somatic anxiety, which is the physical feelings of general anxiety such as butterflies in your stomach.
In 1987 in Germany the perinatal mortality rate increased by 4.1%. In East Germany it was increased it 7.2% and West Germany rose to 3.5%.
Women who lived in highly contaminated villages in Chernobyl had seen an increase of miscarriages, pregnancy complications, aplastic anaemia, which is when the body stops producing enough fresh blood cells which can lead to higher risks on infection and uncontrolled bleeding, treatment includes blood transfusion or a stem cell transfusion.