Ionizing Radiation Research Paper

- Even though the X-ray expose patient to harmful radiation it is used to see inside the human body and diagnose broken bones, gallstones and later tuberculosis.

The article Radiation Protection of Medical Staff1 looks at the various occupational hazards medical imaging personnel face on a day to day basis. As technology has improved over the years, there has been an increase in the number of medical imaging procedures in which medical imaging staff must stay in the room or near the patient when the radiation exposure takes place. Because of this, medical imaging personnel could be at a substantial risk of occupational exposure to radiation and they must be aware of the proper actions and steps that are in place to keep their occupational exposure dose as low as reasonably achievable.

My first clinical observation began at 9:00 am proceeding to the radiology lab with the second year students finishing up with the placement of barriers on the trays holding the film and control panels as part of infection control.The first thing I noticed was the layout, which is segregated into a common area, patient x-ray exposing area and two x-ray processing rooms (a digital and darkroom for film processing). The patient x-ray exposing rooms consist of the x-ray machine made up of three main components the wall mount, extension arm and tubehead. The control panel is located outside the room behind a wall with a lead glass window, the purpose of this design feature is to provide the radiographer protection from the primary beam during exposure by standing at least 6 feet away. The lead glass window, helps the radiographer view the patient during the procedure to ensure the patient does not move and avoid retakes and unnecessary radiation exposure. When a patient is seated in the x-ray exposure room they were protected in a couple of noticeable ways such as providing a lead apron with a thyroid collar and film holders to avoid holding the image receptors in their hands. Before beginning the procedure, the second year DH student made sure to explain to the patient the procedure as well as her need to step out of the room to press the button on the control panel and stressed on the importance of staying still during this process. After pressing the button, the control panel has a safety feature that provides both a audio and visual indicator that allows the radiographer to know that the exposure has occurred. Another feature that was interesting to learn was about the different settings on the control panel that can be changed based on the type of tooth (molars and incisors) because a larger tooth may require more radiation exposure as well as age (children or adults) because

Cell recovery: Depending on time, interval, dose and sensitivity of affected cells to radiation, the cells may repair themselves and recover from harm.

According to the health physics society, radiation is an energy that comes from a source and travels through space which may be able to penetrate various materials. In the past few weeks of our chemistry class I have learned that atoms whom have an unstable nuclei are radioactive, these atoms give off excess energy which are radiation rays. Radiation varies from gamma, beta, and alpha rays. Gamma rays have the shortest wavelengths and highest frequencies. Gamma rays are the most energetic form of light produced by the hottest regions of the universe and emitted by the nucleus of radioactive atoms. Because of this, gamma rays are used to penetrate tissue property, such as in the use of CT scans, and radiation therapy. Alpha particles are also ejected by the nuclei of unstable atoms; however, they are large and consist of two protons and two neutrons. Although alpha particles have a high mass, they are the most destructive form of radiation with a low penetrating force; a single piece of paper can block alpha particles. Beta particles are much

They can play crucial part in determining what can be wrong with a patient. The first X-ray was discovered in 1985 by Wilhelm Roentgen, a German scientist (Cite-radiology history). X-rays are described as “electromagnetic energy waves that act similarly to light rays, but at wavelengths approximately 1,000 times shorter than those of list” (German scientist discovers x-rays). The first X-ray was in use during the Balkan war. During this time in 1897, they used the X-ray to determine if there were any bullets in the soldiers, or to find if they had any broken bones. Although the X-ray was found very helpful, scientist later started to discover the effects that the radiation could have on the patient. The event that caused the entire scientist community to raise concern. They realized that the effects of X-ray could cause patients to end up with burns and possibly cancer. After several reports of burns and the death of Clarence Dally (due to cancer form working with X-ray), these events raised concern for many. Scientist and doctors became aware of the risk X-rays imposes, and started to take precautions to protect them and the patients. Thanks to this discovery, many patients and x-ray technicians now are required to wear lead aprons. These aprons help protect against the radiation x-rays give off. The technician also have to wear a dosimeter. A dosimeter measures the amount of radiation the technician receives while

Most of a cell is composed of water (H2O molecules). Radiation can break the bonds between the atoms, creating particles such as Hydrogen (H), and Hydroxides (OH). These can recombine to form potentially toxic substances such as Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) which can damage or destroy the cell. Radiation can also break apart other molecules, forming ions, which can very bad for the cells.

Ionizing radiation exposure is a well known risk factor that is not only unique to ALL but to many other cancers. Fetus exposure to radiation in the early stages of development may increase risk of ALL in the exposed child however the magnitude of the risk is unknown. Ionizing radiation can affect a child at all stages of development from preconception, pregnancy and postnataly. Radiation can come in many forms for example radiation on a fetus can occur via x-ray or CT scan, therefore most physicinas avoid having pregnant women take these diagnostic test under most circumstances (American Cancer Society). There have been studies that suggest paternal ionizing radiaton exposure may also play a role in the risk of ALL in offspring. One such study was conducted in the United Kingdom and examined children living in Sellafield located near a powerplant and fathers working at the

However, the practise of routine chest x-ray in the ICU department is not constant with this principle. The effective dose is around 0.025 mSV per chest x-ray. It is a relatively low dosage compare to other modalities such as CT. It is possible for us to minimise the dosage by using a high kV technique but the biological detriment of ionising radiation to organisms in relatively lower dose is accumulative. The limit of effective dose for the general public is 1 mSv in a year to have a stochastic effect. For example, around 40 CXR will exceed the suggested dose limit, regardless of the effect of radiation from other modalities and natural background

Acute radiation syndrome, or ARS, occurs in the whole human body when there are large doses of ionizing radiation strike for a short period. When an ionizing radiation occurs, it produces biologic damage inside the human body because the interaction within the cells causes molecular changes and inability to functions. It is a somatic effect that shows early symptoms of nausea, fatigue, and fever. Then months or years after radiation exposure, a person could potentially receive lung diseases, cataract, or cancer. These effects are examples of multiple epidemiologic cases involving human population that received high doses of ionizing radiation. This paper addresses one of the epidemiologic events that affected the Navajo miners handling a high

The effects of radiation can be hazardous to any part of the human body. In this guide I will explain the advantages, and disadvantages of x-ray radiation. I will also discuss the technological advances that we have today then of what we had the past on the human body during radiation exposure. I will explain preventions of exposure and safety precautions that we as dental assistants as well as patients can follow to stay safe.

Medical imaging is a field that is in constant development. Chances are that you or someone you know has been scanned using technology that’s dependent on radiation. While the first X-Ray was done as early as 1895 (British Library), today’s popular Computed Tomography scans, or “CT Scans”, first originated in the 1970’s and since then, have been improved dramatically, as far as speed, power, and image quality is concerned (Beckmann). With the rapid development of these CT Scanners, comes the dangers of the radiation emitted by these machines, which has not been given its due attention throughout history. According to Dr. David Brenner, a leading radiology expert from Columbia University:

Ionizing radiation is a type of radiation that is able to disrupt atoms and molecules on which they pass through, giving rise to ions and free radicals. It is made up of energetic subatomic particles, ions or atoms moving at high speeds, and electromagnetic waves on the high-energy end of the electromagnetic spectrum. There are five primary types of Ionizing Radiation, Alpha Particles, Beta Particles, Gamma Rays, X-Rays and Neutrons. Alpha Particles are charged particles, which are two neutrons and two protons. They have a very limited ability to penetrate other materials, because they travel short distances and they have large mass. The only hazard that the caused is when they are inhaled. Beta Particles are electrons or positrons, which are

Since the technologies being used only bounce waves of the body surface, this leaves then skin highly exposed to concentrated amounts of radiation. Health side effect studies of full body scanners have been labeled classified and inaccessible to the general public. Four professors from the University of California- San Francisco, whom are well respected cancer, X-ray crystallographers and imaging experts stated in a letter to the Obama administration that, “The low-energy rays do a “Compton scatter” off tissue layers just under the skin, possibly exposing some vital areas and leaving the tissues at risk of mutation. When an X-ray Compton scatters, it doesn’t shift an electron to a higher energy level; instead, it hits the electron hard enough to dislodge it from its atom.” The authors note that this process is “likely breaking bonds,” which could cause mutations in cells and raise the risk of cancer (Johnston). Furthermore, the UCSF researchers write in their letter, “older passengers are more susceptible to mutagenic effects of X-rays, and “the risk of

When assisting the patient, the radiographers have to make sure they provide radiation safety not only for the patient but also for themselves. There are many different methods to providing safety. With the equipment and radiation dosage, highest KVp and the lowest mAs is used to provide the minimum amount of dosage required for the procedure. Furthermore, safety can be provided by reducing the amount of rime in radiation area, by putting as much distance between you and the radiation source as possible. When performing a portable examination stand at least six feet from x-ray source and wear a lead apron. The patient should remove any jewelry or metal accessories that may interfere with radiation procedure and both the technologist and the patient needs to wear protective lead shields for example lead gloves, aprons, skirts and thyroid shields to protect the other body parts from the radiation. It is advised to also always wear monitoring device at collar level. Lastly, the technologist uses immobilization devices to hold the patients when needed.