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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.
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