answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Radiation poisoning, also called "radiation sickness" or a "creeping dose", is a form of damage to organ tissue due to excessive exposure to ionizing radiation. The term is generally used to refer to acute problems caused by a large dosage of radiation in a short period, though this also has occurred with long term exposure. The clinical name for "radiation sickness" is acute radiation syndrome (ARS) as described by the CDC. A chronic radiation syndrome does exist but is very uncommon; this has been observed among workers in early radium source production sites and in the early days of the Soviet nuclear program. A short exposure can result in acute radiation syndrome; chronic radiation syndrome requires a prolonged high level of exposure. The use of radionuclides in science and industry is strictly regulated in most countries (in the U.S. by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission). In the event of an accidental or deliberate release of radioactive material, either evacuation or sheltering in place will be the recommended measures. Radioactive waste comes from a number of sources. The majority of waste originates from the nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear weapons reprocessing. However, other sources include medical and industrial wastes, as well as naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) that can be concentrated as a result of the processing or consumption of coal, oil and gas, and some minerals.

source: wikipedia

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

The human body actually contains some radioactive substances which are not harmful at all. Some radioactive agents are used in hospitals to do scans which are not harmful either. The really nasty radioactive atoms such as uranium and plutonium can cause severe harm from vomiting to death. Even the smallest amount is deadly.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is radioactive material and why is it harmful?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Are radioactive materials dangerous Explain?

yeah! almost all radioactive materials are dangerous, from these material radioactive rays are originated which are namely alpha,beta,gamma and when these rays strike to the body so it leave incurable burn,however its small amount is also harmful such as: the radioactive material named radium are found in varieties of wrist watches so its also harmful for human health X-Rays are electromagnetic rays and these are also harmful but not so much therefore physicians avoids for X-rays reports but in severe condition they are compel to do that advise There are two type of radioactive element one is natural radioactive and other is artificial radioactive element From natural radioactive element radioactive rays are always originated so,radioactive materials are dangerous even it is artificial or natural


Can radioactive be recycled?

Yes, there are a number of uses for radioactive material. It depends on the type of radioactive material.


Is volcanic ash radioactive?

No. Volcanic ash is harmful to inhale and can be toxic, but it is not radioactive.


Radioactive particle that is harmful to human beings?

Radioactive particles include alpha beta and positron they are not so harmful for human body the actually harmful are gamma radiations associated with these particles.


Is americium harmful to humans?

Americium is harmful to humans because is very radioactive.


Why the nuclear waste harmful?

Because it is radioactive


Why is francium harmful?

Francium is a radioactive element.


What counts radioactive material?

We often use a Geiger counter to detect and count the decay of radioactive material.


Radioactive waste are harmful to living beings?

Yes


What is the name for the emission of rays and particles by a radioactive material?

The name for the emissions of rays and particles by a radioactive material are called radioactive decay. There are many different types of radioactive decay that emit different rays and particles.


If radium and chlorine combine to form radium chloride what is true about the compound?

As radium is radioactive, radium chloride would also be radioactive. Any compounds make with any radioactive material are radioactive, and they cannot be "not" radioactive. Radioactive material doesn't really care if it is "alone" or in compound; it will be radioactive in any case.


What can be naturally radioactive?

The core of the earth is radioactive, as is the sun. Granites, which crystallize from mantle material are commonly slightly radioactive.