Radiation from manmade sources, such as x-ray machines, are released in controlled amounts to minimize harmful effects. However, in a radiation emergency, such as a nuclear power plant accident , transportation accident , dirty bomb explosion a mixture of explosives and radioactive powder or pellets , or nuclear blast , you could be exposed to a large amount of radiation that could be harmful to your health and the health of your family.
The physical area affected by radiation depends on the amount of radiation released, the direction and speed of the wind, and the weather conditions. During a radiation emergency, radioactive material may be released into the air and breathed into the lungs, or it may get into the body through open wounds. Radioactive material can contaminate the local food supply and get into the body through eating or drinking tainted food.
Radioactive material on the skin can be easily washed off decontamination so that it does not expose you or others to radiation. When radioactive material gets inside the body, it is called internal contamination. Radiation causes more health problems over time, so the sooner that internal contamination can be removed from the body, the fewer and less severe will be the health effects.
These health effects can range from relatively mild, such as skin reddening or vomiting, to very serious, such as cancer or death. The health effects that might occur depend on the amount of radiation absorbed by the body the dose , the type of radiation, and the way and the amount of time that the person was exposed. In some cases, the harmful health effects of radiation might not occur for many years.
If you think you may have internal contamination after a radiation emergency, see a health care provider as soon as it is safe to do so. People who are externally contaminated can become internally contaminated if radioactive material gets into their bodies.
People who are externally contaminated with radioactive material can contaminate other people or surfaces that they touch.
For example, people who have radioactive dust on their clothing may spread the radioactive dust when they sit in chairs or hug other people. If radioactive material is on your clothes, you can remove the outer layer of your clothing, getting it away from you will reduce the external contamination and decrease the risk of internal contamination.
It will also reduce the length of time that you are exposed to radiation. The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
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Read More. Sign Up. Get Help. Image of. Close Select A Hope Lodge. Reviewed by: Eric S. Sandler, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Radiation Therapy? The high-energy radiation used comes from: X-rays gamma rays fast-moving tiny particles called particle or proton beam therapy Radiation therapy is also called radiotherapy, irradiation, or X-ray therapy.
How Does Radiation Therapy Work? Radiation therapy can be either: external, given from outside the body internal, done inside the body External radiation therapy uses a large machine and special equipment to carefully aim the right amount of radiation at cancerous tumors. Some kids may need both external radiation and internal radiation. When the child is in the right position: The radiation therapist leaves the room.
The machine delivers the right amount of radiation to kill the cells. The radioactive material is: put into the tumor swallowed or injected into the bloodstream Doctors might do a minor surgery using anesthesia to place the material for example, when treatment is in the uterus, esophagus, or airway.
Kids and teens who get external radiation therapy have no restrictions on contact with family members. Kids and teens who get internal radiation therapy may have some restrictions. Radiation in the implant can send high-energy rays outside the patient's body. To protect others from exposure, the patient will be in a private room. Health care team members enter for short periods and work quickly to provide care.
Visiting times might be brief, and young kids, pregnant women, and others might not be allowed into the room.
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