RADIATION POISONING Flashcards
two main sources of radiation exposure
Internal exposure
External exposure
Internal exposure
small quantities of radioactive materials that occur naturally in the environment
external exposure
from sunlight radiation and from synthetic and naturally occurring radioactive materials
Categories of radiation based on energy of the particles
Ionizing and Non-ionizing radiation
Ionizing radiation
Gamma rays
X rays
Higher engery range of UV light
Non-ionizing radiation
Low energy range of UV light
Visible light
Infrared light
Microwaves
Radiowaves
MOA of ionizing radiations
Displaces electrons from their atomic nuclei resulting in ionisation of molecules.
types of effects of ionizing radiations
immediate
chronic
delayed
why are double strand lesions considered the most serious DNA lesions
they can result in cleavage of chromatin and might not be successfully repaired by the cell
Effect of DNA damage to cells
Mutagenecity
Carcinogenecity
Inhibition of cell replication
cell death
medical sources of radiation
Diagnostic X ray
Nuclear medicine
X rays used in treating cancer
Examples of nuclear medicine
Cobal irradiation - cancers
Radioactive iodine - Grave’s diseases
Occupational exposure to radiation
Nuclear reactors
Linear accelerators
Sealed caesium, americium and cobalt sources in therapeutic instruments and detectors
Examples of naturally occuring hazardous isotopes in the earth’s crust
Radium and Radon gas
Immediate symptoms of cutaneous radiation sickness
Transient and inconsistent redness associated with itching
late symptoms of cutaneous radiation sickness
Intense reddening
blistering
ulceration
Symptoms of radiation sickness
Nausea and vomiting
Hair loss
Spontaneous bleeding
Fatigue
best known acute effect of UV radiation
Sunburn or erythema
Long term effect of UV radiation on eye
Catarcacts
Sources of UV radiation
Sunlight
Tanning lamps and beds
Fluorescent lamps
Mercury vapor lamps
Halogen lamps
Types of UV radiations
UVA
UVB
UVC
Which type of UV rays cause most skin cancers
UVB rays
General dermatologic reactions to excessive sunlight
Dermatoheliosis-skin aging
Elastosis-yellow discoloration of skin
Wrinkling
Hyperpigmentation
Atrophy
Dermatitis
Other reactions to excessive sunlight exposure
Actinic keratosses
Squamous cell/basal cell carcinoma
Malignant melanomas
Photosensitive reactions
Types of burns
First degree
Second degree
Third degree
Fourth degree
First degree burns
Burns are generally red sensitive and moist
The absence of blisters and blanching of the skin with application of light pressure
Second degree
presence of erythematous blisters with exudate
third degree burns
involve deep dermal skin loss
skin appears black, charred and leathery
exposed areas are insensitive to pain
fourth degree burns
involve deep tissue and structure loss
hypertrophic scars and chronic granulations develop unless skin grafting is done
Effect of sunlight on eyes
Photokeratitis
Conjunctivitis
Types of nonionizing radiation
Optical radiation
Radiofrequency radiation
Examples of optical radiation
UV radiation
Infrared
Visible
Examples of radiofrequency radiation
Microwaves
Radiofrequency
Sources of IR radiation
Plasma torches
halogen lamps
Which organs does IR affect
Skin and eyes
