The possibility of acute
radiation syndrome, (radiation poisoning, radiation sickness or radiation
toxicity), resulting from excessive radiation exposure, originating from damage
sustained by the nuclear reactors in Japan, is raising serious health
concerns for people all around the world.
The World Health Organization
is currently assessing the situation, realizing that it may be far
more serious than they thought.
Because of the recent natural
disaster, which involved an earthquake and tsunami in Japan, on March 11, 2011,
there are major problems associated the release of high levels of ionizing
radiation from the nuclear reactors, located in the region of the natural
disaster. To date, the problems remain unresolved.
It is becoming increasingly
apparent that the health concern about excessive radiation exposure extends
beyond the immediate disaster area, as well as the borders of Japan
Should we be alarmed?
Everyone should be concerned
about the adverse effects of excessive radiation exposure on their health.
Note that while it is important
for people not to panic, at the same time, they should be aware of the serious
nature of this problem. It is always better to be knowledgeable than to be
non-knowledgeable, particularly when it affects people’s health.
How does excessive radiation
exposure affect people’s health?
Historically, scientific
medical research has determined that excessive radiation exposure does affect
the health of people, in an adverse manner. While most people have some basic
knowledge about how excessive radiation affects human health, they are probably
not familiar with its full implications.
“Acute radiation
syndrome (ARS) also known as
radiation poisoning, radiation sickness or radiation toxicity, is a
constellation of health effects which occur within several months of exposure
to high amounts of ionizing radiation. The term generally refers to acute
problems rather that ones that develop after a prolonged period of time.” (1)
There are different factors to
take into consideration with regard to the acute effects of excessive radiation
exposure on people’s health.
One of the most important
factors is the actual level of exposure to ionizing radiation. In other words,
is it a high level of exposure or a low level of exposure? The higher the level
of exposure, the more danger it presents with respect to the health of people.
Another factor to consider is
the length of time of the exposure to the ionizing radiation. Is it minutes,
hours, days, weeks or months? The longer the time of exposure has been, is or
will be in the future, the higher the likelihood of people having their health
adversely affected.
What are the signs and symptoms
of excessive radiation exposure and how quickly do these symptoms occur? How
serious are the symptoms?
“The onset and type of symptoms
that develop depends on the dose of radiation exposure. Relatively smaller
doses result in gastrointestinal effects such as nausea and vomiting and symptoms
related to falling blood counts such as infection and bleeding. Relatively
larger doses can result in neurological effects and rapid death.”
(2)
Note that non-acute or
“stochastic effects of radiation” (3) are different and “are not included in the
term radiation sickness.” (4)
Excessive radiation exposure
over a long time, leads to more serious health concerns.
“Radiation exposure can also
increase the probability of developing some other diseases, mainly cancer,
tumors, and genetic damage.” (5)
Addressing the topic of acute
radiation syndrome (radiation poisoning, radiation sickness or radiation
toxicity) is the first step towards enhanced public awareness, with respect to
a potentially life threatening situation.
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation_poisoning
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ibid.
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