The recent incident of radioactive source loss at the Rare Nuclear Technology Institute has been resolved satisfactorily. However, understanding the effects and benefits of radioactive sources is increasingly important as various scientific and economic sectors in our country utilize them more extensively.
What are the benefits of radioactive materials?
Over several decades, artificial radioactive materials have provided immense benefits in diagnosing and treating diseases, as well as in numerous techniques across science, research, agriculture, and industry—fields that have significantly improved life on Earth to an almost immeasurable degree.
In industry, X-rays are used for baggage scanning at airports, inspecting welding defects and cracks in construction projects, pipelines, and other structures… High radiation has successfully contributed to the development of 1,500 high-yield varieties of food crops and plants that are more resilient to natural conditions and pests.
Why can radiation cause cancer?
When radiation passes through an inanimate object, no structural changes can be observed. However, when radiation enters a point in a living cell, it can cause long-term damage to the tissue. In principle, even the smallest amount of ionizing radiation can affect cellular activity as a whole.
Nevertheless, the likelihood of low radiation doses leading to cancer is very low. Human body cells are continuously renewing themselves. Thus, it is estimated that a single high dose can be fatal, while the same dose given gradually over time may not result in any disease symptoms.
| * From 1944 to 1999, there were 405 radiation accidents worldwide, resulting in approximately 3,000 injuries, of which 120 were fatal.
* Radiation doses are measured in Sieverts (Sv), named after Dr. Rolf Sievert from Sweden. Since Sv is a relatively large unit of measurement, millisieverts (mSv) are commonly used. The average natural radiation dose for a person is between 0.001 to 0.002 Sv, or 1 – 2 mSv/year. |
The only way that low radiation doses can affect health is by causing severe damage to DNA molecules.
If a damaged DNA cell continues to replicate, that damage can perpetuate. The result may be the formation of abnormal cells. In the long run, this can negatively impact the body. However, there are many ways to recover before DNA damage becomes malignant.
Radiation does not cause a specific type of cancer. A cancer patient cannot be absolutely certain that radiation is the cause. The likelihood that a person has cancer due to other causes is higher than due to radiation exposure.
On the other hand, if a specific type of cancer is prevalent among many people of a certain age working under radiation conditions, and that type of cancer is usually rare, then radiation may indeed be the cause of that type of cancer. This was the case with thyroid cancer in children exposed to radioactive iodine following the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident.
Health symptoms to be aware of
– After handling scrap metal, if you experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, especially accompanied by rashes, fatigue, diarrhea, and other unexplained symptoms not attributable to other causes like gastrointestinal infections, food poisoning, or drug allergies.
– Skin lesions not caused by thermal burns or chemicals, insect bites, or a history of skin conditions or drug allergies, but with scaling and hair loss in the irradiated area occurring 2-4 weeks prior. Symptoms may also include hair loss or blood-related issues (such as petechiae, bleeding gums, or nosebleeds) with a history of nausea and vomiting 2-4 weeks earlier.
If you encounter these cases, it is essential to report them to local scientific and technological management authorities or the nearest medical facilities.
