Planet earth and the organisms living on it are continuously exposed to radiation. There are two types of radiation: non-ionizing radiation, such as that emitted from cell phones, antennas, heating appliances, microwave ovens, etc., and ionizing radiation.
Ionizing radiation is radiation that causes ionization of atoms, meaning it releases electrons from atoms or molecules. Types of ionizing radiation include radioactive particle emissions such as alpha and beta radiation, as well as high-frequency electromagnetic radiation like UV radiation (UV-B and UV-C), X-rays, and gamma rays (photons).
Ionizing radiation and radioactive materials are part of our daily lives. We are exposed to ionizing radiation every day from a variety of natural and artificial sources. Natural background radiation exists everywhere: in the soil, water, plants, food, and even in our body. It originates from several sources: cosmic radiation from outside the solar system, solar radiation, radiation from natural sources (many substances on Earth contain radioactive atoms), and from radon gas, which is emitted from the bedrock of buildings and accumulates in the foundations of poorly ventilated homes. Artificial sources are diverse, and people are exposed to them through consumer products such as tobacco (which contains 210Po), watches containing tritium, eyeglass lenses, television screens, security scanners, smoke detectors, sensors, building materials, fuels (gas and coal), as well as through medical procedures such as diagnostic X-rays, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy.
How does ionizing radiation affect us?
At low levels, the effect of ionizing radiation can be so minimal that it is almost impossible to detect through epidemiological studies.
Radiation can cause damage to the genetic material (DNA) in every cell of our body. Our cells respond to radiation damage in several ways: they may efficiently repair the damage, destroy the damaged cell, or replace it as part of the body’s natural renewal process. Nevertheless, there remains a very small chance that some damaged cells will persist rather that being repaired or dying.
There are international standards and regulations for environmental protection and the handling of radiation, designed to protect anyone exposed to radiation at work or in any other context, such as medical procedures. S.R.Y. is committed to complying with all radiation safety regulations, constantly prioritizing the safety of patients and staff.
It is important to understand that although exposure to ionizing radiation occurs during certain medical procedures (diagnosis or treatment), the benefit of the treatment or early diagnosis largely outweighs the potential harm from such exposure. Many people around the world owe their lives to the use of medical radiation.
