Choices Foundation for Health, Education and Research, Inc. was founded in 1999 to provide a forum for integrative practices, complementary and alternative medicine education and research. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) public benefit, non-profit organization. All donations are completely tax deductible. See us at choicesfoundation.us.com. Units of measure Becquerels (Bq) aka the curie (ci) What is emitted 1 ci = 37 x 10 9 Bq Units of measure Gray (Gy) aka the rad What is absorbed 1 rad = 0.01 Gy Units of measure Sieverts (Sv) aka the rem What damage it will do 1 rem = 0.01 Sv International System Units: The Becquerel (Bq) the unit of radioactivity -the amount of radiation emitted, (previously called the curie [ci]) The Becquerel (Bq) the unit of radioactivity -the amount of radiation emitted, (previously called the curie [ci]) The Gray (Gy) the unit of absorbed dose., the amount of radiation received, (previously called the rad) The Gray (Gy) the unit of absorbed dose., the amount of radiation received, (previously called the rad) The Sievert (Sv) unit of the biological dose, or the calculated biological damage (previously called the rem) The Sievert (Sv) unit of the biological dose, or the calculated biological damage (previously called the rem) 1. Planel H, Soleilhavoup JP, Tixador R, Richoilley G, Conter A, Croute F, et al. Influence on cell proliferation of background radiation or exposure to very low, chronic gamma radiation. Health Phys 1987;52:5718. 2. Liu SZ. Biological effects of low level exposures to ionizing radiation: theory and practice. Hum Exp Toxicol 2010; 29:27581. Koukourakis, MI. Radiation damage and radioprotectants: new concepts in the era of molecular medicine. British journal of radiology 2012; 85: What Happens? Large doses of ionizing radiation in a short time period lead to Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS), aka radiation poisoning. A radiation dose as low as 0.35 Gy (35 rads) could feel a bit like you have the fluexpect nausea and vomiting, headaches, disorientation, fatigue, and fever. What Happens? 24 hours after whole body exposure to between 1-4 Gy ( rads): blood cells begin to die immune system is weakened uncontrollable bleeding acute radiodermatitis (red patches, peeling, and blistering) Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) What Happens? You could recover if you receive prompt treatment: blood transfusions and antibiotics. What Happens? What is the more likely scenario in current times? The Slow Burn Long-term exposure to ionizing radiation at doses too low to produce any symptoms of radiation sickness which gradually can induce genetic mutations and cancer. This is the biggest risk facing survivors of the Fukushima disasterthe accident actually emitted a fraction of the radioactive material released at Chernobyl. But the most recent estimates predict the fallout from Fukushima may still cause more than a thousand deaths from cancer in Japan. Sources of radiation are predominately from uranium, thorium and potassium. Verde Formation consists of two units: 1) A lower unit primarily composed of soft, gray to olive-green, carbonate-rich mudstone typically containing high uranium levels that are as high as 40 ppm Mudstone underlies much of the towns of Camp Verde and Middle Verde but is not generally exposed as far north as Cottonwood. 2) An upper limestone unit, which contains no unusual levels of uranium. For a booklet on the topic go to: Average annual human exposure to ionizing radiation (millisievert) Radiation sourceWorldUSJapanRemark Inhalation of air mainly from radon, depends on indoor accumulation Ingestion of food & water (K-40, C-14, etc.) Terrestrial radiation from ground depends on soil and building material Cosmic radiation from space depends on altitude sub total (natural) sizeable population groups receive mSv Medical world-wide figure excludes radiotherapy; US figure is mostly CT scans and nuclear medicine. Consumer items-0.13 cigarettes, air travel, building materials, etc. Atmospheric nuclear testing peak of 0.11 mSv in 1963 and declining since; higher near sites Occupational exposure world-wide average to all workers is 0.7 mSv, mostly due to radon in mines; US is mostly due to medical and aviation workers Chernobyl accident peak of 0.04 mSv in 1986 and declining since; higher near site Nuclear fuel cycle up to 0.02 mSv near sites; excludes occupational exposure Other Industrial, security, medical, educational, and research sub total (artificial) Total millisievert per year Ionization chamber smoke detectors contain a microcurie [37,000 Becquerels] of radioactive material as americium-241 composited with gold encapsulated in a metal chamber. Ions created by ionizing radiation develop a low, but steady electrical current. Americium emits alpha particles and low energy gamma rays. Half-life 432 years (decays slowly, emitting little radiation). At the end of the 10 year useful life of the detector, it retains original activity. Exposures are negligible (less than about 1/100 of a millirem per year [1x10 -7 Sieverts]). Alpha particles do not travel far or penetrate even a single sheet of paper, and gamma rays emitted by americium are weak. If the source were removed, it would be very easy for a small child to swallow, but even then exposures would be very low because the source would pass through the body fairly rapidly The same amount of americium in a loose powdered form would give a significant dose if swallowed or inhaled. Skin burns, scaring and ulcerations Hair loss Mouth dryness and sores Deterioration of teeth Trouble swallowing Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea Radiation stomatitis, esophagitis, gastritis, enteritis, and proctitis. Urinary and bladder dysfunction Sexual dysfunction and infertility Radiation induced coronary artery blockage, heart muscle dysfunction and failure. Radiation induced cognitive problems including dementia Bone marrow suppression Swelling - lymphedema Joint pain and stiffness Secondary cancers This map shows areas of equal seismic hazard and indicates the minimum peak horizontal ground acceleration value, a measure of the how hard the ground shakes in a given area. Reference: greenpeace.org arizona/wind-direction/ (a) block the formation of free radicals (b) block the free radicals with free radical scavengers (c) enhance DNA repair process (d) inhibit death signaling pathways (e) prevent release of cytokines and growth (f) break the cycle stimulating fibroblast/endothelium dysfunction (g) prevent the survival of somatic mutated cells that repopulate the tissue (h) prevent DNA damage of bystander cells Koukourakis, MI. Radiation damage and radioprotectants: new concepts in the era of molecular medicine. British journal of radiology 2012; 85: AgePredicted Thyroid ExposurePotassium Iodide Dosage Birth to 1 month5 (cGy)One 16-mg dose >1 month to 3 years5 cGy32 mg once daily >312 years5 cGy65 mg once daily >1218 years weighing 1218 years weighing 68.2 kg (150 lbs)5 cGy130 mg once daily