Effects of Radiation on Cells

DOE-HDBK-1130-98

Module 2 Biological Effects

Instructor's Notes

Tobacco products (total average dose ~1300 mrem/yr

for smokers)

Medical radiation sources (total average dose ~ 54

mrem/yr)

X rays (total average dose ~ 40mrem/yr)

a) X rays are similar to gamma rays; however, they

originate outside the nucleus.

b) A typical radiation dose from a chest

X ray is about 10

mrem.

Diagnosis and therapy (total average dose ~14 mrem/yr)

In addition to X rays, radioactive materials and

radioactive sources are used in medicine for diagnosis

and therapy.

c. Building materials (total average dose ~7 mrem/yr)

Other minor contributors

Discuss: It has been more

than 20 years since

Other contributors to dose include consumer products,

atmospheric testing has been

industrial sources, and atmospheric testing of nuclear

conducted.

weapons.

Average annual dose

EO2 Identify the average

annual dose to the general

The average annual total effective dose equivalent to the

population from natural

general population (non-smokers) from naturally

background and manmade

occurring and manmade sources is about 360 mrem.

sources of radiation.

Effects of Radiation on Cells

The human body is made up of many organ systems. Each

system is made up of tissues. Specialized cells make up

tissues. Ionizing radiation can potentially affect the normal

function of cells.