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Nuclear Basics III: Nuclear and Radiological Disaster Preparedness Nuclear Basics IV: Measurements: Since nuclear radiation affects people, we must be able to measure both its presence and its physiological effects. The amount of radiation received by the body are are related in terms of exposure and dose. When someone is exposed to radiation, their body absorbs a radiation dose. Biological Symptoms of Radiation Exposure: Everyone's physiology is different. Therefore, how one person's body reacts to radiation exposure will be different that another person's reaction. There are averages though, which we can use to anticipate what will happen at various accumulated doses. Roentgen, or “R”, is the unit used to express the amount of Flu or Radiation? gamma radiation exposure an individual receives. An The three most readily visible symptoms of radiation exposure of 50 roentgens is written "50 R." A milliroentgen sickness are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Because is one-thousandth of a roentgen, and is abbreviated "mR." these are the same as are exhibited by flu and cold, one must Exposure is cumulative. Thus “R” is independent of the time weigh the symptoms against the received dose of radiation. over which the exposure occurs. For example, if a man is Also, unlike with a vital infection, the symptoms of exposed to 4 R of gamma rays on one occasion, and 6 R on radiation sickness may disappear for up to a week before another, the sum of the two, 10 roentgens, is his cumulative returning. When the symptoms return they are often gamma radiation exposure. accompanied by swelling in the nose, mouth, and throat. RAD, is the basic unit of the absorbed dose of radiation. Different materials may receive the same exposure but not absorb the same amount of energy. The rad was devised to relate the different types of radiation (i.e., alpha, beta, gamma and neutron) to the energy they impart in materials. The dose an individual receives is expressed in the unit “rad”, immediately follows after the magnitude, for example, "50 rads." One-thousandth of a rad is written "mrad." * One roentgen of gamma radiation exposure results in about one rad of absorbed dose. Rem (roentgen equivalent man) is a unit that relates the dose of any radiation to the biological effect of that dose. As some types of nuclear radiation produce greater biological effects than others for the same amount of energy imparted, the word 'rad' relates the multiplied absorbed dose of specific types of radiation. The dose an individual receives in the unit rem is indicated by writing the word "rem" immediately after the magnitude. For example, "50 rem." One-thousandth of a rem is abbreviated as "mrem." * For gamma rays and beta particles, 1 rad of exposure results in 1 rem of dose. * For alpha particles, 1 rad of exposure results in approximately 20 rem of dose. Acute Radiation Sickness: Acute radiation sickness occurs when a person receives a 100 rem or greater dose of radiation within a relatively short period of time. The symptoms are: changes in blood cells and vessels, skin irritation, gastrointestinal system effects, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, hair loss, and burns. The severity and prognosis depends on the total dose received, how much of the body is exposed, and the person's sensitivity. With a whole body exposure: * 100 - 250 rem (sublethal dose); in the first two weeks most will experience nausea and vomiting within the first couple of hours. In the third week, malaise, anorexia, diarrhea, fatigue, mild skin irritation, drowsiness, and hair loss. In the fourth week most will recover even with blood cell changes. Some will die with a 250 rem exposure. * 250 – 450 rem (lethal dose); victims will experience in the second week what the victims above experience in the third week. In addition, they will experience severe skin irritation, fever, and abdominal pains. In the third week they will experience hair loss and internal bleeding. In the fourth week women will experience menstrual irregularities. 50% will die if blood cell changes are left untreated. * For neutrons, 1 rad of exposure results in * With a 650 rem (supralethal dose); the victim will be experiencing nausea, vomiting, and paleness within minutes Exposure Rate is the rate at which an individual is exposed of exposure. Those will be followed by shock, unconsciousness, diarrhea, abdominal pains and cramps, to radiation. This is often measured on a per-hour basis. fever, severe skin irritation, burns or blisters, insomnia, Exposure rates are expressed in terms of roentgen or restlessness, and death without intensive medical attention. milliroentgen per hour. An exposure rate of sixty roentgen per hour would be written "60 R/hr. * With a 1000 rem the person will die within hours or days approximately 10 rem of dose. having experienced irreparable damage to the nervous system in addition to all else. (c) 2016 Chattanooga Area Emergency Readiness – All Rights Reserved Page 2 Proofed by: (c) 2016 Chattanooga Area Emergency Readiness – All Rights Reserved Page 2 Proofed by: