1. Radiation in Everyday Life
Teo Jim Yang 3O3(26)

2. Contents Basics Radiation in Our Environment Effects of Radiation
Definition
Ionizing and Non-ionizing radiation
Electromagnetic Radiation
Natural Background Radiation
Man-Made Radiation
Radiation in Our Environment
Effects of Radiation
Sources of radiation in everyday life
Significance of Radiation Exposure
People who are at higher risk
Radiation Protection

3. What is radiation?
Energy that travels through space in the from of particles or waves
Two different types of radiation: ionizing and non-ionizing
Radiation can be found all around us

4. Ionizing and Non-ionizing Radiation
Has a lot of energy that gives it the ability to cause changes in atoms
Enough to damage DNA
Overexposure can cause:
Mutations in your genes, which causes birth defects,
Raised risk of cancer, burns
Radiation sickness
Non-ionizing Radiation
Relatively low-energy radiation that doesn't have enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules
Although considered less dangerous than ionizing radiation, overexposure to non-ionizing radiation can cause health issues

5. Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation

6. Summary of Radiation

7. Natural Background Radiation
Refers to the naturally derived, widespread radiation present everywhere in the environment
Usually not detrimental to life
3 Main sources:
Cosmic Radiation
Cosmic rays from outer space which bombard the earth
Terrestrial Radiation
Radioactive substances in the earth's crust
Soil
Water
Vegetation
Emanation of radioactive gas from the earth (radon gas)
Internal Radiation
Trace amounts of radioactivity in the body
Emanation - emission

8. Man-Made Radiation
Two distinct groups of people exposed to man-made radiation sources:
Members of the public
Occupationally exposed individuals

9. Man-Made radiation Sources that results in exposure to public:
Tobacco (thorium)
Television (EM radiation)
Medical Procedures
Diagnostic X-rays
Nuclear medicine
Smoke detectors (Americium)
Building materials (Radon)
Occupational sources
Radiography
X-ray technicians
Workers in Nuclear power plant
Nuclear medicine technicians
The bricks, stones, cements and drywalls that we use for the building of our homes, schools, offices frequently contain uranium ores and are thus sources of radon.

10. Electromagnetic (EM) Radiation
Light is made up of different components:
Gamma Rays
X-Rays
Ultraviolet Rays
Visible Light
Infrared Rays
Microwaves
Radio Waves
They make up the electromagnetic spectrum
They emit radiation
Decreasing in Wavelength
Decreasing in Wavelength

11. Effects Of Radiation And much more… Increased blood pressure Lesions
"Harmful Effects of Radiation" Video
Increased blood pressure
Lesions
Damage to foetus (in pregnant women)
Mental retardation
Miscarriage
Cancers:
Salivary gland cancer
Lymphatic cancer
Bone marrow cancer (leukemia)
Brain cancer
Breast cancer
Heart Disease
Headaches
And much more…

12. Effects of Radiation Why does radiation cause harm? DNA Damage
Our cells have mechanisms to repair DNA damage to a limited extent but radiation can overwhelm these mechanisms.
Damaged DNA is implicated in several disease processes, including various types of cancer.
Interference with Melatonin production
Low melatonin levels have already been linked to several diseases, including cancers
Interference with Cellular Communication
Our body cells communicate internally and externally by means of electrical signals. 
These signals can be altered by EMF radiation which generates electrical currents within the body causing changes in both cellular activity and cellular structures

13. Effects of Radiation Factors affecting the effect of radiation:
Intensity of radiation
Exposure to strong radiation may cause damage, even though the exposure is of short duration
Cumulative Exposure
The combination of the different frequencies a person is exposed to may overwhelm the body defenses and repair mechanisms.
Duration of Exposure
Many studies have indicated that various health effects are only noticed after many years of exposure to  electromagnetic pollution, for example high voltage power lines, or cell phones.
Radiation Transience
More biologically stressful to be exposed to fluctuating radiation which arises from an electrical appliance which cycles on and off than from a similar appliance that remains steadily on all day. 

14. Sources of Radiation in Everyday Life
Cell-phones
Tobacco Smoke from smoking
Medical Use of Radiation
Radiation from Appliances
Televisions and Computers
Microwave Ovens
Heating Appliances
Personal Grooming Appliances

15. 1. Cell Phone Radiation
Radiation in cell phones is generated in the transmitter and emitted through the antenna
In the form of radio waves
These waves picked up by a receiver in the cell-phone tower

16. 1. Cell Phone Radiation
When talking on a cell phone, most users place the phone against the head
Some of the radiation might be absorbed by human tissue
Radio frequency (RF) radiation has the ability to heat human tissue
Damage to tissue can be caused by exposure to RF radiation because the body is not equipped to dissipate excessive amounts of heat
The eyes are particularly vulnerable due to the lack of blood flow in that area
Use of cell phones may have potential links to:
Cancer
Brain tumors
Alzheimer's disease
Parkinson's disease
Headaches

17. 1. Cell Phone Radiation
Some precautions that can be made to reduce RF radiation exposure from cell phones:
Extend the antenna during use
Use a phone that places the antenna as far away from you as possible
Use a hands-free headset
Limit calls inside buildings
Use the phone in open spaces as often as possible
Limit use by children

18. 2. Radiation from Smoking
Cigarette smoke contains radioactive lead-210 and polonium-210
 Each cigarette smoked can also be equated to one chest x-ray
A non-smoker living with a smoker may receive the equivalent of 12 chest x-rays per year as a result of second-hand smoke
Lead-210 and polonium-210 are deposited in the bronchioles
Risk of cancers is increased with the presence of other harmful substances in cigarette smoke
Carbon monoxide
Tar
Nicotine

19. 3. Radiation In Medicine Diagnostic radiology
Use of machines (e.g. X-ray) to obtain images of the inside of the patient's body
X-rays can penetrate skin
Bone, fat, muscle, tumors and other masses all absorb X-rays at different levels
The image on the film reveals distinct structures in the body because of the different levels of exposure on the film
Even with the risks, X-ray scanning is still a safer option than surgery
Other diagnoses using radiation include mammography and MRI scans

20. 3. Radiation In Medicine Radiotherapy
Use of high energy x-rays and similar rays to treat disease (usually cancer)
Radiation destroys the cancer cells in the treated area
Although normal cells can also be damaged by the radiotherapy, they can usually repair themselves
Contributes to 40 per cent of all cured cancers

21. 4. Radiation from Appliances
Televisions
TVs emit X-rays
LCD (flat screen) TVs produce much less radiation
Computers
Computers emit radio and microwaves
Wireless equipment (e.g. mouse, keyboard) also emit some radiation
Sit at least:
1.9m away from TV
60 cm away from computer screens
It's better for your eyes too

22. 4. Radiation from Appliances
Microwave Ovens
Microwaves affect the food
Structure of protein foods is changedso that a beneficial protein molecule in the food becomes a harmful one
Placing plastic containers into the microwave may cause toxic plastic molecules to leach into the food
Microwaves also leak out of the oven
keep a distance of 1.5 meters
It's better for your eyes too

23. 4. Radiation from Appliances
Heating Appliances
Electric blankets generate EM radiation, even after switched off
Electrically heated carpets and rugs, under-carpet and under-floor heating all produce substantial EM radiation
Electrical heaters also produce lot of EM radiation

24. 4. Radiation from Appliances
Personal Grooming Appliances
Hairdryers, electric shavers, electric toothbrushes and similar personal grooming products emit radiation at their normal operating distance
People at higher risk should refrain from using them
It's better for your eyes too

25. Significance
Even though common sources of radiation only deal it in minute doses
The frequency of which we are exposed to them are greater causes for concern
The accumulation of these small doses may greatly affect our health

26. People at Higher Risk Children Pregnant Women
Biologically more vulnerable
Thinner skulls
Tissues not fully developed
May not be able to control how much they use cell phones, play on computers, watch TV etc, and how close they sit to the screen.
Pregnant Women
Any cellular damage in a developing embryo may have magnified consequences for the child
At risk of miscarriage if they are subjected to high intensity EM radiation during pregnancy
Lower EM radiation levels may still damage the foetus while not causing an actual miscarriage.

27. People At Higher Risk
People already suffering from chronic degenerative conditions
The body is already using all its available energy to heal itself
Does not have much energy to spare for repairing the damage done by radiation
Workers in close proximity to electrical machinery
Exposed to strong electromagnetic fields and radiation

28. People At Higher Risk Frequent users of appliances that emit radiation
Spend more than a few minutes a day talking on a cell phone pressed to their ear etc
Table of Radiation-emitting Appliances
Especially vulnerable if they done every day for years
In other words, most of us are at risk

29. Radiation Protection Increase distance from source
The intensity of radiation decreases with distance from its source.
Reduce time exposed to source
If exposure cannot be avoided, try to spend as little time near it as possible
If it doesn't need to be turned on, switch it off
Radiation comes from many devices which are left on unnecessarily, e.g. charger units for batteries, cell-phones, laptops etc, computers and printers

30. Radiation Protection Shielding Containment
Barriers of lead, concrete or water give good protection from high levels of penetrating radiation such as gamma rays
Intensely radioactive materials are often stored or handled under water, or by remote control in rooms constructed of thick concrete or lined with lead
Containment
Highly radioactive materials are confined and kept out of the workplace and environment
Nuclear reactors operate within closed systems with multiple barriers which keep the radioactive materials contained

31. References http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf05.html

32. References http://orise.orau.gov/reacts/guide/define.htm