How harmful X rays and other radiations are?

kowalskil · March 22nd, 2011, 12:50 PM

How harmful is nuclear radiation? It depends on the dose received.

Tsunami-related Fukushina accident will probably renew debates about nuclear electricity. Such debates should be based on what is known about negative effects of nuclear radiation. Numerical data below should be useful in that context.

The effect of penetrating radiation on a person depends on the dose received. The common unit of dose is Sievert (Sv). Smaller doses are expressed in milliseverts (mSv) or microseveret. The old unit of dose, rem, is also used widely (1Sv=100 rem)

A dose of 10 Sv will most likely results in death, within a day or two.
5 Sv would is kill about 50% of exposed people.
2 Sv can also be fatal, especially without prompt treatment.

0.25 Sv = 250 mSv is the limit for emergency workers in life-saving operations.
0.10 Sv = 100 mSv dose is clearly linked to later cancer risks.
0.05 Sv = 50 mSv is the yearly limit for radiation workers.

0.004 Sv= 4 mSv typical yearly dose due to natural radiation (cosmic rays, etc).
0.003 Sv= 3 mSV typical dose from mammogram

The one day dose, due to Fukushima accident, at a distance of 30 miles from the damaged reactors, was reported (on 3/16 and 3/17) as 0.0036 mSv. I do not have data on doses, probably very large, received by those who worked near or inside reactors. But I have no doubt that each of them was carrying an individual dosimeter. No deaths due to radiation have been reported in Japan, as far as I know. Many lives, however, were lost in Chernobyl, by those who worked to minimize damage.

Ludwik Kowalski
Professor Emeritus
Montclair State University, USA
.

kowalskil · October 2nd, 2011, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kowalskil

The one day dose, due to Fukushima accident, at a distance of 30 miles from the damaged reactors, was reported (on 3/16 and 3/17) as 0.0036 mSv.

It is certainly much lower today, nearly 1/2 years later. But I have no data.
.

Jennifer23 · October 6th, 2011, 06:00 PM

Ludwik, what about cellphone use?

IRISH_EYES_99 · October 13th, 2011, 06:37 PM

Jennifer there is still an ongoing debate on the harmful effects of radiation from cell phones. But you know everything we eat & drink has had scientists & others questioning whether it is good for us or bad for us.
Coffee is now good for us. Tomorrow it will be bad for us. The same with it seems everything in our lives. I believe everything in moderation is ok for us. Anything that is done in excess will eventually hurt us. We need to think for ourselves & not on what .. "they say"? Just thinking out loud. Beware of fanactics that push
Doomsday" on any & everything we do.

Wolf_angel · October 15th, 2011, 08:55 AM

Jennifer I agree with IRISH! Hugs

Jennifer23 · October 15th, 2011, 05:33 PM

Wolfie and Irish, thanks! I know someone that works with radiation, and he said that cellphone use does cause cancer, but it depends how often you use the phone. He said that if you don't over use it it's not a big deal, but those that spend alot of time on the phone are definitely at risk. And now you can't walk down a street without seeing half the people that you pass on the phone - and worse, those driving. The Russians realize that, and clamped down. A great invention that could have been so good, and now if you go to a grocery store you hear somebody on the phone asking what kind of bread they want. Great invention. Totally misused.

Wolf_angel · October 17th, 2011, 07:14 AM

Like many things in the world Jennifer. Tis a matter of choice. Personally cell phones are banned to be used in Pennsylvania New York and other states however I see the cops doing it all the time. What the Hay! I use my phone now more along the lines of schedules and appointments. Having a way to connect to my daughter, Travis who is in the Navy! and of course doctors. Some friends yet not many!

Hugs

IRISH_EYES_99 · October 17th, 2011, 02:40 PM

Oh ok Wolf_Angel you mean using them while driving is banned. yes most states have that now. In fact in Maryland even if you pull to the side of the road to take/make a call you can be ticketed.
It's allowed however if you have a headset on in most places. It's the hands that they want free to hold the steering wheel. Less dangerous that way.
Like anything else with progress some people get it while others complain about it. Cell phones are not just for emergencies they are for convience. How the person uses them is their choice. whether we agree or not it's still their choice.

Jennifer23 · October 18th, 2011, 02:15 PM

Wolfie and Irish, I agree with you. It's the over use that bugs me. And Irish, researchers said that when you're driving, hands on or hands off doesn't matter - it's the conversation. And you may say "what about the conversation you're having with a passenger?" The researchers said that it was different. I don't want them banned, just used in an appropriate situation. Luvya girls, and thanks for putting up with me!

March 22nd, 2011, 12:50 PM	#1
kowalskil Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 62	How harmful X rays and other radiations are? How harmful is nuclear radiation? It depends on the dose received. Tsunami-related Fukushina accident will probably renew debates about nuclear electricity. Such debates should be based on what is known about negative effects of nuclear radiation. Numerical data below should be useful in that context. The effect of penetrating radiation on a person depends on the dose received. The common unit of dose is Sievert (Sv). Smaller doses are expressed in milliseverts (mSv) or microseveret. The old unit of dose, rem, is also used widely (1Sv=100 rem) A dose of 10 Sv will most likely results in death, within a day or two. 5 Sv would is kill about 50% of exposed people. 2 Sv can also be fatal, especially without prompt treatment. 0.25 Sv = 250 mSv is the limit for emergency workers in life-saving operations. 0.10 Sv = 100 mSv dose is clearly linked to later cancer risks. 0.05 Sv = 50 mSv is the yearly limit for radiation workers. 0.004 Sv= 4 mSv typical yearly dose due to natural radiation (cosmic rays, etc). 0.003 Sv= 3 mSV typical dose from mammogram The one day dose, due to Fukushima accident, at a distance of 30 miles from the damaged reactors, was reported (on 3/16 and 3/17) as 0.0036 mSv. I do not have data on doses, probably very large, received by those who worked near or inside reactors. But I have no doubt that each of them was carrying an individual dosimeter. No deaths due to radiation have been reported in Japan, as far as I know. Many lives, however, were lost in Chernobyl, by those who worked to minimize damage. Ludwik Kowalski Professor Emeritus Montclair State University, USA . __________________ "Diary of a Former Communist: Thoughts, Feelings, Reality." My testimony is based on a diary kept between 1946 and 2004, in the USSR, Poland, France and the USA. Ask Google for Ludwik Kowalski.

October 13th, 2011, 06:37 PM	#4
IRISH_EYES_99 Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: in the state of confusion :) Posts: 3,524	Jennifer there is still an ongoing debate on the harmful effects of radiation from cell phones. But you know everything we eat & drink has had scientists & others questioning whether it is good for us or bad for us. Coffee is now good for us. Tomorrow it will be bad for us. The same with it seems everything in our lives. I believe everything in moderation is ok for us. Anything that is done in excess will eventually hurt us. We need to think for ourselves & not on what .. "they say"? Just thinking out loud. Beware of fanactics that push Doomsday" on any & everything we do. __________________ Smiles are contagious. It's ok to pass them on. *

October 15th, 2011, 08:55 AM	#5
Wolf_angel A survivor of chaos Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Where my heart is Posts: 3,147	Jennifer I agree with IRISH! Hugs __________________ May you walk in the shadow of the Great Spirit~To help others is a special gift we can either give or take~The more you give the more you receive~

October 17th, 2011, 07:14 AM	#7
Wolf_angel A survivor of chaos Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Where my heart is Posts: 3,147	Like many things in the world Jennifer. Tis a matter of choice. Personally cell phones are banned to be used in Pennsylvania New York and other states however I see the cops doing it all the time. What the Hay! I use my phone now more along the lines of schedules and appointments. Having a way to connect to my daughter, Travis who is in the Navy! and of course doctors. Some friends yet not many! Hugs __________________ May you walk in the shadow of the Great Spirit~To help others is a special gift we can either give or take~The more you give the more you receive~

October 17th, 2011, 02:40 PM	#8
IRISH_EYES_99 Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: in the state of confusion :) Posts: 3,524	Oh ok Wolf_Angel you mean using them while driving is banned. yes most states have that now. In fact in Maryland even if you pull to the side of the road to take/make a call you can be ticketed. It's allowed however if you have a headset on in most places. It's the hands that they want free to hold the steering wheel. Less dangerous that way. Like anything else with progress some people get it while others complain about it. Cell phones are not just for emergencies they are for convience. How the person uses them is their choice. whether we agree or not it's still their choice. __________________ Smiles are contagious. It's ok to pass them on. *

October 6th, 2011, 06:00 PM	#3
Jennifer23 Jennifer23 Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 3,187	Ludwik, what about cellphone use?

October 15th, 2011, 05:33 PM	#6
Jennifer23 Jennifer23 Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 3,187	Wolfie and Irish, thanks! I know someone that works with radiation, and he said that cellphone use does cause cancer, but it depends how often you use the phone. He said that if you don't over use it it's not a big deal, but those that spend alot of time on the phone are definitely at risk. And now you can't walk down a street without seeing half the people that you pass on the phone - and worse, those driving. The Russians realize that, and clamped down. A great invention that could have been so good, and now if you go to a grocery store you hear somebody on the phone asking what kind of bread they want. Great invention. Totally misused.

October 18th, 2011, 02:15 PM	#9
Jennifer23 Jennifer23 Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 3,187	Wolfie and Irish, I agree with you. It's the over use that bugs me. And Irish, researchers said that when you're driving, hands on or hands off doesn't matter - it's the conversation. And you may say "what about the conversation you're having with a passenger?" The researchers said that it was different. I don't want them banned, just used in an appropriate situation. Luvya girls, and thanks for putting up with me!