MANILA, Philippines—Radioactivity, or radioactive decay, is the spontaneous emission of energy from unstable atoms. These atoms emit radiation, which travels in the form of waves or high-speed particles.
Everyone is exposed to low levels of radiation on a daily basis, as radiation occurs naturally in sunlight and sound waves. Man-made radiation is used in X-rays, nuclear weapons, nuclear power plants and cancer treatment.
The amount and duration of radiation exposure affects the severity or type of health effect. Any living tissue in the human body can be damaged by radiation in a certain manner, but the body can also repair its own cells and leave no residual damage.
But sometimes, if the exposure is too long or the radiation too high, the damage becomes too severe or widespread to be repaired.
For example, exposure to small amounts of UV radiation is beneficial for people and essential in the production of vitamin D and in the treatment of several diseases, such as jaundice. But prolonged exposure to UV radiation may result in skin cancer and cataracts.
Other long-term health effects of damaging radiation exposure are mutations that affect fetuses or unborn children (smaller head or brain size, poorly formed eyes, abnormally slow growth, and mental retardation) and genetic effects that are passed from parent to child.
Exposure to a lot of radiation during a short period, such as from a radiation emergency, can cause burns or radiation sickness. Symptoms of radiation sickness include nausea, weakness, hair loss, skin burns, and reduced organ function.
Large enough exposure can cause premature aging or even death.
Compiled by Eliza Victoria, INQUIRER Research
Sources: "Radioactivity and Radiation" (US Environmental Science Division), "Radiation Exposure" (US National Library of Medicine), US Environmental Protection Agency
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