Somatic Effects - DOE-HDBK-1109-97

DOE-HDBK-1109-97

Radiological Safety Training for Radiation-Producing (X-Ray) Devices

Instructor's Guide

Lesson Plan

Instructor's Notes

SOMATIC EFFECTS

Somatic effects are biological effects that occur in the

individual exposed to radiation. Somatic effects may

result from acute or chronic doses of radiation.

Early Acute Somatic Effects.

The most common injury associated with the

operation of X-ray analysis equipment occurs when

a part of the body, usually a hand, is exposed to the

primary X-ray beam. Both X-ray diffraction and

fluorescence analysis equipment generate

high-intensity, low-energy X-rays that can cause

severe and permanent injury if any part of the body

is exposed to the primary beam.

The most common injury associated with the

operation of industrial X-ray equipment occurs

when an operator is exposed to the primary X-ray

beam for as little as a few seconds.

These types of injuries are sometimes referred to as

radiation burns.

ii. Difference Between X-Ray Damage and Thermal

Objective 3

Burns (Key Item).

Most nerve endings are near the surface of the skin,

so they give immediate warning of heat or a surface

thermal burn such as the participants might receive

from touching a high-temperature object. In

contrast, the body can not immediately feel