What is Nuclear Radiation?
Simply put, nuclear radiation refers to energy emitted by radioactive substances in the form of waves or particles.
Both nuclear explosions and accidents involve nuclear radiation, which manifests in three forms: alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) radiation. Alpha radiation can be blocked by a single sheet of paper but is highly hazardous if inhaled;β radiation consists of high-speed electrons that cause visible burns upon skin contact; γ radiation, similar to X-rays, can penetrate the human body and structures, posing hazards over long distances. While numerous substances in the universe and nature exhibit radioactivity, their risks are generally low. Only radioactive materials released by nuclear explosions or power plant accidents can cause widespread casualties.Gamma radiation can penetrate a certain distance and be absorbed by the body, causing external radiation exposure.
Symptoms of radiation sickness from both internal and external exposure include fatigue, dizziness, insomnia, skin redness, ulcers, bleeding, hair loss, leukemia, vomiting, and diarrhea. It may also increase cancer rates, birth defects, and genetic mutations, affecting the health of multiple generations. Generally, the more radiation energy the body absorbs, the more severe the symptoms of radiation sickness become, and the greater the risk of cancer and birth defects.
Nuclear Radiation Classification
The harm of nuclear radiation to the human body depends on the duration and dose of exposure. Below are the consequences of radiation exposure (in millirem):
1: Radiation dose from an X-ray of a leg or arm;
8: Annual radiation emitted by building materials;
10: Radiation dose from an airplane flight;
60: Radiation level within the human body;
700: Radiation dose from a brain scan;
5000: Annual occupational radiation exposure.
10,000: 1 in 130 chance of developing cancer;
60,000–100,000: Development of various radiation sicknesses;
200,000–450,000: Hair loss, severe blood disorders, death within 2–6 weeks for some individuals;
450,000–800,000: Enters terminal condition within 30 days.