Overview

Radiation can be divided into two types: ionizing and non-ionizing, ionizing radiation is capable of creating ions, or charged particles, in a molecule or atom. Non-ionizing radiation is incapable of creating ions. The term 'ionizing radiation' is used because it ionizes the medium through which it travels. When radiation travels through the body, it ionizes biomolecules that are present throughout cells and tissues. Forms of electromagnetic radiation include X-rays, radio waves, radar, radiant heat, and visible light. All have the same velocity, but they have different wavelengths and, therefore, different frequencies. However, the ionizing radiation have a larger photon energy because their wavelengths are shorter. Therefore, X- and rays can break chemical bonds and produce biologic effects. A golden era of physics was marked by the discovery of IR, X-ray, and natural radioactivity, as well as the discovery of radioactive radium in 1898. But soon, Edison, Tesla, and Gubbe reported radiation-injury in eyes and skin in 1896. The iconic image of bone, accidentally captured by X-ray, excited the medical community and prompted rapid development of X-ray technology. From research laboratory to diagnostic laboratory, X-ray technology spread rapidly throughout hospitals, and remains the main diagnostic tool for imaging today. The first case of cancer caused by radiation was reported in the year 1901. Several cases of radiation injury were reported, including blisters, skin erythema, ulceration, and leukemia. Nuclear accidents and terror attacks require safeguard against human exposures, because of widespread use of IR. In tourism and clinical settings, high doses of IR may be encountered. Radiation exposure can happen to health care professionals, researchers, nuclear engineers, and other workers. The radiation exposure can be divided into two categories: medical and diagnostic and accidental exposure to public and armed forces. An event that has led to significant consequences of people, the environment, or the facility is defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency. In the past, nuclear accidents have happened, such as in Hiroshima Nagasaki in 1914 in Japan, later in Chernobyl and Mayapuri (2010) in Delhi. The Chernobyl disaster in 1986 was the most famous example of a major nuclear accident. The exposure to civilians, clean-up workers, first responders and armed forces is warranted by different scenarios such as nuclear explosion, accidents involving nuclear reactor, accidental radioactive spillage and nuclear attack.

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