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Ionizing radiation is any type of particle or electromagnetic wave that carries enough energy to ionize or remove electrons from an atom. When atoms in living cells become ionized one of three things usually happen - the cell dies, the cell repairs itself, or the cell mutates incorrectly and can become cancerous. Not all cells are affected by ionizing radiation in the same way. The cells that reproduce the most and are the least specialized are the most likely to be affected by ionizing radiation, for example those in a forming fetus.
Radiation is effective as a cancer treatment because it can kill the cancer cells, however it can also kill or damage nearby cells. When radiation is used to treat cancer it must be pinpointed very carefully.
Laurie Hammes
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoIonizing radiation is any type of particle or electromagnetic wave that carries enough energy to ionize or remove electrons from an atom. When atoms in living cells become ionized one of three things usually happen - the cell dies, the cell repairs itself, or the cell mutates incorrectly and can become cancerous. Not all cells are affected by ionizing radiation in the same way. The cells that reproduce the most and are the least specialized are the most likely to be affected by ionizing radiation, for example those in a forming fetus.
Radiation is effective as a cancer treatment because it can kill the cancer cells, however it can also kill or damage nearby cells. When radiation is used to treat cancer it must be pinpointed very carefully.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoif you are not the not who is being treated by radioactive iodine, then it is dangerous because it will expose you to radiation..but to the person being treated, its useful..to kill the remaining cancer cells in the body
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThere are four types of radiation, alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, and x-rays. Alpha particles are dangerous if you ingest them or breath them in, you can stop them with a piece of paper. Beta particles are dangerous because they can go through the skin and destroy cells, you can stop them with a piece of aluminum foil. Gamma rays and X-rays have no mass, they are energy released from an atom when it splits. Gamma rays and X-rays can go through your skin and destroy cells, you can stop them with a few centimeters of lead.
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Is technetium dangerous to humans?
As a radioactive chemical element, technetium may be dangerous to humans.
Is Iodine a non-radioactive metal?
No: Iodine is not a metal at all, but a nonmetal. It is not necessarily radioactive, but has some radioactive isotopes.
Is francium harmful to humans?
As a strongly radioactive element francium is dangerous.
What are health effects of francium?
As a strongly radioactive element francium is dangerous for humans beings.
What can iodine tablets do against radiation?
Iodine tablets are taken by individuals who have just been or are being exposed to radioactive materials that include radioactive iodine. In nuclear fission reactors, uranium (or sometimes plutonium) fission to create energy. When these fuel atoms split (fission), there are a number of fission products that can result, including a radioactive isotope of iodine. In a reactor accident that includes a meltdown and the release of radioactive fission products into the environment, radioactive iodine can be present. By taking iodine tablets, an individual who is exposed to radioactive iodine that was released in a nuclear reactor accident can avoid having his body absorb this radioactive material. Taking iodine tablets keeps iodine levels in the body high, and the thyroid gland, which absorbs iodine, high. This effectively prevents radioactive iodine from being absorbed and taken up by the thyroid. As absorbing radioactive iodine can lead to thyroid cancer, taking iodine tablets is a good shield against uptake of the radioactive isotope.
Is technetium dangerous to humans?
As a radioactive chemical element, technetium may be dangerous to humans.
Can radioactive iodine lodge in the bowel?
Iodine almost solely goes for the thyroid gland (located in the neck). It is extremely dangerous if only the smallest amount gets there, so if you even suspect that you have radioactive iodine poisoning, see a doctor.
Does einsteinium harmful to humans?
Einsteinium is extremely radioactive and dangerous.
Is mendelevium poisonous to plants animals or humans?
Mendelevium is a radioactive element. Generally radioactive elements are dangerous.
Is iodine gas a greenhouse gas?
No. Iodine is released into the air by humans through coal and fuel oil burning power plants, and also by the ocean, with the ocean being a much larger supplier. The iodine is not harmful, and will typically return to the soil or ocean. While iodine can be radioactive, it normally decays quickly and becomes stable again. The only form of iodine that has potential to be dangerous to the environment is a radioactive form that has a half-life of millions of years, and is released by nuclear power plants. http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/elements/i.htm
Is Iodine a non-radioactive metal?
No: Iodine is not a metal at all, but a nonmetal. It is not necessarily radioactive, but has some radioactive isotopes.
What is iodine-131?
Iodine-131 is a radioactive isotope of the element iodine.
Is francium harmful to humans?
As a strongly radioactive element francium is dangerous.
What effects does plutonium have on the environment?
Plutonium is toxic and radioactive; a contaminated area is dangerous for humans.
What are health effects of francium?
As a strongly radioactive element francium is dangerous for humans beings.
Where does Radioactive iodine concentrates?
Iodine (regardless of whether it is radioactive or not) tends to concentrate in the thyroid gland. Radioactive iodine can thus lead to thyroid cancer if left unchecked. Fortunately you can generally flush out the radioactive iodine with normal "cold" iodine. We tend to get much of our iodine from salt which is "iodised". Interestingly in some cases when a patient has an overactive thyroid, or indeed in thryoid cancer patients, the thyroid can be chemically ablated by the use of radioactive iodine since it concentrates there naturally.
What can iodine tablets do against radiation?
Iodine tablets are taken by individuals who have just been or are being exposed to radioactive materials that include radioactive iodine. In nuclear fission reactors, uranium (or sometimes plutonium) fission to create energy. When these fuel atoms split (fission), there are a number of fission products that can result, including a radioactive isotope of iodine. In a reactor accident that includes a meltdown and the release of radioactive fission products into the environment, radioactive iodine can be present. By taking iodine tablets, an individual who is exposed to radioactive iodine that was released in a nuclear reactor accident can avoid having his body absorb this radioactive material. Taking iodine tablets keeps iodine levels in the body high, and the thyroid gland, which absorbs iodine, high. This effectively prevents radioactive iodine from being absorbed and taken up by the thyroid. As absorbing radioactive iodine can lead to thyroid cancer, taking iodine tablets is a good shield against uptake of the radioactive isotope.
