Genetic damage, from radiation

Explain the difference between somatic damage from radiation and genetic damage. Which type causes immediate damage to the exposed individual ... 

Cancer cells are another example of rapidly dividing cells. Because cancer cells are highly sensitive to radiation, large doses of radiation are used to destroy them. The normal tissue that surrounds cancer cells divides at a slower rate and suffers less damage from radiation. However, radiation may cause malignant tumors, leukemia, anemia, and genetic mutations. 

An alternative approach to risk estimation is to relate the mutagenicity of a chemical to the amount of radiation that would produce an equal effect. This approach is best exemplified by the concept of a rem-equivalent chemical (REC). A REC is the dose (concentration times time) that produces an amount of genetic damage equal to that produced by 1 rem of chronic radiation.98 REC was introduced, not as a basis of risk estimation, but as a guide to setting standards.1 0 80 There were already accepted radiation standards, and it was thought that chemical risks could be considered by the same standards if the chemical damage could be correlated with that from radiation. 

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