Through atomic bombs and horrific stories of radiation use gone wrong, today's populous has come to the conclusion that radiation is quite negative, when in reality there are many positive and productive uses for it when used and applied properly. From medicine to mechanical engineering and feats of electrical production, radiation is viewed by some in a more positive light than the majority of people today.
Radiation therapy, often used to help stop the growth and spread of cancerous cells, is perhaps the most widely used form of radiation. There are two forms of therapy using this fairly new science: external and internal radiation. External radiation is simply using large machines to aim specific amounts of radiation directly at cancerous cells, while internal therapy may consist of placing a radioactive pellet directly into the body and is usually only used in adults. The high energy form of radiation that is used in these therapies can be a needed and powerful tool in the treatment of cancer.
Even your daily activities consist of using radiation in a positive manner in ways that are considered so normal that we do not even think twice about using the products. Any time you go to the dentists office or break a bone and go to see your family physician you are exposed to X-ray machines. These tools are useful in diagnosing ailments and to discover the root causes of many physical problems. Furthermore, your home is no safe haven as simple household items such as your microwave produce non-ionizing radiation; a form of radiation that does not have cancer risks associated with it like its sister ionizing form found in ultraviolet light or high energy particles.
In a wider community wide or industrial use, radiation can be used both for energy production and food sterilization. Nuclear radiation is the basis for nuclear physics and nuclear fission, both of which have been monumental scientific discoveries that have led to mass electricity production and countless medicinal and industrial advances. Irradiation is the technical term that is used to describe forms of sterilization currently used by the United States Postal Service to sterilize mail in Washington D.C., and that is used in processes such as food preservation. Since X-rays and gamma rays are used in irradiation materials subjected to it do not become radioactive, so no need to worry about the adverse health effects of opening your mail.
Positive scientific advances, medicinal treatments, household items, and trips to your local dentist are only a few ways that mankind has found to further our knowledge and successes in many different fields. While radiation can be extremely harmful if not monitored and used properly it can also be a tremendous benefit to many fields of study and our industry. There are countless other forms and uses for it and through responsibility we can continue to harness its healing and advancing power.
Visit http://www.apnga.com American Portable Nuclear Gauge Association to learn more about radiation and its benefits.
Posted by WebDrafter.com, Inc. with permission.
Article independently authored by Matthew Eddington. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of APNGA.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Radioactivity and Radiation Safety
Radioactivity can be one of the most confusing topics in science to many today. Its usefulness in a broad array of scientific arenas is undoubtedly substantial, and yet the same technology that can be used to solve problems can also be used for huge amounts of destruction and long term consequences.
While most people alive today have heard of radiation and its uses and potential disastrous penalties they may not know exactly what it is, and their knowledge of the subject is limited to only what they hear from news sources or medical journals. Simply put, radioactivity refers to the unpredictable release of energy from 'unstable' atoms. Unlike stable atoms, which do not change throughout their lifetime, unstable atoms break down and emit radioactivity from their nucleus as they break down (also referred to as decay). Elements such as uranium, potassium, and thorium (isotopes) decay fairly easily to form smaller, lighter atoms, while other more stable elements may take longer.
While radiation and radioactivity seem to be terms that refer to twentieth century science topics, the phenomena was actually discovered back in 1896 by Antoine Becquerel somewhat by accident. Becquerel, who studied photography and x-rays, had put photographic plates in a drawer with uranium salts. To his surprise the photographic plates became exposed without the presence of a purposefully placed energy source, as the uranium has supplied the needed energy. In honor of his work in the field, the standard unit of measure for radiation was named the Becquerel.
Medicine and fields such as archaeology have seen huge advances in their fields due to the uses of technology derived from radiation studies. In modern medicine, radioactive isotopes are used as forms of tracers to follow how certain body processes function. Once ingested the isotopes can be followed and have been extremely useful in the diagnosis of disease and the research related to solving some of medicines biggest mysteries. Archaeology on the other hand uses radiation in a much different way. Since radiation is derived primarily from natural forms, scientists have been able to find ways to use it to help define the history and length of life on the planet earth. Living organisms take in radiation through the environment through carbon, however once deceased the organism stops its intake of carbon and the amount that is present slowly decreases over time. The amount of time it takes for the decrease to happen is predictable and scientists use this information to date events that have occurred on our planet.
Although complicated the science of radiation and radioactivity has fascinated researchers due to its unlimited potential and usefulness. However the vast variety of uses also has its consequences and must be watched carefully. Perfect proof for this can be seen in the meltdown of a Ukrainian nuclear reactor that occurred during the cold war. Disastrous effects of this accident are still in effect to this day and the surrounding population and terrain will be scarred for a long period of time. Radioactive materials do have their uses, but we must be responsible with the technology and use it appropriately to help further our knowledge.
For more information and guidance about radiation, visit http://www.apnga.com. The American Portable Nuclear Gauge Association specializes in radiation topics.
Posted by WebDrafter.com, Inc. with permission.
Article independently authored by Matthew Eddington. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of APNGA.
While most people alive today have heard of radiation and its uses and potential disastrous penalties they may not know exactly what it is, and their knowledge of the subject is limited to only what they hear from news sources or medical journals. Simply put, radioactivity refers to the unpredictable release of energy from 'unstable' atoms. Unlike stable atoms, which do not change throughout their lifetime, unstable atoms break down and emit radioactivity from their nucleus as they break down (also referred to as decay). Elements such as uranium, potassium, and thorium (isotopes) decay fairly easily to form smaller, lighter atoms, while other more stable elements may take longer.
While radiation and radioactivity seem to be terms that refer to twentieth century science topics, the phenomena was actually discovered back in 1896 by Antoine Becquerel somewhat by accident. Becquerel, who studied photography and x-rays, had put photographic plates in a drawer with uranium salts. To his surprise the photographic plates became exposed without the presence of a purposefully placed energy source, as the uranium has supplied the needed energy. In honor of his work in the field, the standard unit of measure for radiation was named the Becquerel.
Medicine and fields such as archaeology have seen huge advances in their fields due to the uses of technology derived from radiation studies. In modern medicine, radioactive isotopes are used as forms of tracers to follow how certain body processes function. Once ingested the isotopes can be followed and have been extremely useful in the diagnosis of disease and the research related to solving some of medicines biggest mysteries. Archaeology on the other hand uses radiation in a much different way. Since radiation is derived primarily from natural forms, scientists have been able to find ways to use it to help define the history and length of life on the planet earth. Living organisms take in radiation through the environment through carbon, however once deceased the organism stops its intake of carbon and the amount that is present slowly decreases over time. The amount of time it takes for the decrease to happen is predictable and scientists use this information to date events that have occurred on our planet.
Although complicated the science of radiation and radioactivity has fascinated researchers due to its unlimited potential and usefulness. However the vast variety of uses also has its consequences and must be watched carefully. Perfect proof for this can be seen in the meltdown of a Ukrainian nuclear reactor that occurred during the cold war. Disastrous effects of this accident are still in effect to this day and the surrounding population and terrain will be scarred for a long period of time. Radioactive materials do have their uses, but we must be responsible with the technology and use it appropriately to help further our knowledge.
For more information and guidance about radiation, visit http://www.apnga.com. The American Portable Nuclear Gauge Association specializes in radiation topics.
Posted by WebDrafter.com, Inc. with permission.
Article independently authored by Matthew Eddington. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of APNGA.
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