0
The Rem used to be used in Health Physics to measure radiation dose, it is an acronym for Rontgen Equivalent Man.(The methodology allows for the different effects of different types of radiation). The unit now used is the Sievert (Sv), 1 Sievert = 100 Rem. This is a large unit, so millisieverts are used for practical personnel radiation measures, so 1 millisievert = 100 millirem.
Recommended radiation levels for nuclear workers are set by the ICRP (International Committee for Radiation Protection). These used to be set at 5 Rem/year (50 milliSv) but now the level is 20 milliSv/year ie 2 Rem/year. The use of Rem and millirem has been discontinued in the nuclear industry in favour of Sieverts and millisieverts.
However as someone with nuclear experience going back to 1958 I find it difficult to think in Sieverts. For example I know that 500 Rem will kill roughly 1/2 the people exposed to it within a month, now I have to change that to 5 Sieverts. Fortunately that level of exposure has only happened once (at Chernobyl).
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What factors determine the extent of radiation damage?
The amount of exposure (measured in rads or rems), the duration of exposure, and the type of radiation you are exposted to determine the extent of the damage.
What effects does nuclear radiation have on humans?
Doses of 300 rems or more cause temporary hair loss, but also more significant internal harm, including damage to nerve cells and the cells that line the digestive tract. Severe loss of white blood cells, which are the body's main defense against infection, makes radiation victims highly vulnerable to disease. Radiation also reduces production of blood platelets, which aid blood clotting, so victims of radiation sickness are also vulnerable to hemorrhaging. Half of all people exposed to 450 rems die, and doses of 800 rems or more are always fatal. Besides the symptoms mentioned above, these people also suffer from fever and diarrhea. As of yet, there is no effective treatment--so death occurs within two to fourteen days.
How long does it take radioactive symptoms to appear?
This varies significantly depending on the dosage received and the individual's response to the poisoning. There are different scales for use in measuring the dosage. One commonly used measurement of the radiation absorbed dose of Roentgens in humans or other mammals is REMs (Roentgen Equivalent Man/Mammal). If you use these units in association with the Gray Scale, then 100 REMs = 1 GY on the Gray Scale.Early symptoms of radiation poisoning include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever, and abnormal central nervous system (CNS) function. These will usually appear within hours of exposure of larger doses. Increasing doses increase the severity of these symptoms and shorten the timeframes of the progression of the symptoms to morbidity and mortality.Exposure of humans to:1-2 GY:Results in a mild expression of the above symptoms and usually no deaths, but can dramatically increase the potential for long term effects, such as cancer or genetic damage, as do all the following exposures.2-6 GY:Results in slightly more severe early symptoms, and up to 50% mortality in seven to twenty-eight days.6-8 GY:Results in severe symptoms within 3 - 4 hours such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, very high fever, severe headache and 100% mortality in less than seven days.8-30 GY:Results in very severe symptoms in less than 10 minutes, rapid incapacitation and CNS involvement with 100% mortality within 2 hours of exposure.30 GY and over:Results in seizures and tremors and 100% mortality in under 30 minutes.
What is the safe level of nuclear radiation?
The answer to the question depends more on what you consider safe than anything else. The real question is whether any given exposure has sufficient benefit to outweigh the amount of damage that might be done. In some cases, we need to do things that expose us to ionizing radiation in order to stay alive and be healthy, and the amount of exposure is so small that the chance of problems coming from it is to small to worry about. Any exposure to ionizing radiation can cause medical problems. There is no lower limit, beyond which it is absolutely safe. This includes not only nuclear radiation but other ionizing radiation, such as ultraviolet light, as well. For example, exposure to sunlight can cause skin cancer, and the chance of getting cancer is directly related to the amount of sunlight. The only way to eliminate the chance of getting cancer from sunlight absolutely is to eliminate the exposure absolutely. The problem with this is that we need some exposure to sunlight to ensure good health, so eliminating it is more dangerous than limited exposure. Similarly, exposure to beta or gamma radiation can cause medical problems, and the only way to eliminate these problems being caused by such radiation is to eliminate the exposure. The problem with eliminating the exposure is that it cannot be done. About one out of every 9000 potassium atoms is radioactive, and will give off gamma or beta radiation. But potassium is also a requirement for life, as a chemical, and eliminating it would quickly cause a person to sicken and die. We put smoke detectors in our houses, because early detection of fires saves lives. The smoke detectors usually contain radioactive substances, but the increased threat from them is negligible compared to the increased threat from fire without them. We are exposed to nuclear radiation in medical practice that is intended to benefit our health and extend our lives. So to answer the question precisely, we would have to say that there is no absolutely safe level of radiation greater than none at all. What we have to do is assess each potential source of radiation and ask whether the risk of exposure is small enough that the actual exposure is overall beneficial. Since the question of whether something is safe cannot be answered without some subjective evaluation, I will tell you my own belief. I believe that we are all subjected to as much radiation as we need, and probably more, already, assuming we use sunscreen or cover ourselves well. If any further exposure is to be done, there should be some very good, specific reason for it. So, the safe limit for further exposure is zero.
How tall is Kyle Rems?
Kyle Rems is 6' 2".
When was Rems Umeasiegbu born?
Rems Umeasiegbu was born in 1943.
What is the population of Rems-Murr-Kreis?
Rems-Murr-Kreis's population is 416,255.
What is Rems real gender?
Rems is a Girl, well a woman by human standards.
What is the area of Rems-Murr-Kreis?
The area of Rems-Murr-Kreis is 858.03 square kilometers.
What is the birth name of Kyle Rems?
Kyle Rems's birth name is Kyle Christian Adiekweh.
What is the maximum permissible dose in rems a radiographer is allowed to have per year?
5 rems/year
Who sung the end of the world?
The REMS band.
Where are minerals located in a car?
On the rems of the tires
What is a tree not yet a meter high?
Seedling - by Rems :-)
How many miles from Brussels to Rems?
175 miles.
Is dolce and gabbana french?
no, it's Italian,you rems
