Why is radioactive iodine dangerous to humans?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

if 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

Answer 4

There 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.

Answer 5

Radioactive iodine is dangerous to humans because when it is taken into the body, it can accumulate in the thyroid gland and emit harmful radiation, increasing the risk of thyroid cancer. It is particularly harmful to children and pregnant women because their thyroid glands are more sensitive to radiation.