It'sNot All Bad - Positive Uses for Radiation

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.




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Article independently authored by Matthew Eddington. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of APNGA.