Health Impacts of Radiation and Chemical Exposure

Radiation Hazards

Ionizing Radiation

Ionizing radiation has the property to affect the resulting field ionization of atoms, which means that electrons are ejected from the atom generator with the resultant production of two ions. They can be natural. The exposure of living tissue to ionizing radiation causes damage to cells, and its effects can be grouped into:

Immediate Effects

These are those that occur when the individual receives a high dose of radiation in a short exposure time. Exposure of the whole body or a large part of it at high doses leads to acute radiation syndrome, which manifests with nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms.

Deferred Effects

These appear years after the radiation exposure. Examples include the development of leukemia and other forms of cancer, as well as premature aging.

Non-Ionizing Radiation

In this category, we include:

• Radio frequency and microwave: They have a great power of penetration in biological tissues, which can absorb part of the energy transformed into heat; this causes the so-called thermal effect. They can also affect the central nervous system, the circulatory system, and the digestive system.
• Infrared: The organs most affected by this type of radiation are the eyes (when it comes to causing cataracts) and the skin.
• Ultraviolet rays: Its most characteristic effects are the pigmentation of exposed skin and burns.
• Laser rays: The most affected organ is the eye. Excessive exposure can cause photophobia, lacrimation, and even burns of any degree on the retina. It can also affect the skin.

Chemical Risks

The industry employs many different chemicals, many of which are toxic to human beings. They are inert substances suspended in the atmosphere. The EEC adopted a directive on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to chemical, physical, and biological agents at work. In it, the following classification of chemical pollutants is provided:

• Powder: Suspended solids dispersed in the air produced by mechanical processes or eddies.
• Smokes: Suspended solids dispersed in the air produced by thermal processes and/or chemicals.
• Mist: Liquid suspension dispersed in the air by condensation or dispersion.

Routes of Entry into the Human Body

There are three ways of entry into the human body:

• Respiratory system: This is the single most important route in the workplace. Pollutants enter the lungs by inhalation, dissolve into the alveoli, and spread within the lung blood vessels.
• Dermal: Absorption through the skin is an important route of entry for chemicals, which are capable of getting through, reaching the blood capillaries, and entering the bloodstream. Wounds are also a gateway for these items.
• Gastrointestinal: Pollutants may be swallowed directly or can be mixed with food and saliva. This is one of the reasons why eating and smoking are prohibited in many jobs.