Ionizing ability, of radiation

The ionizing ability of radiation varies dramatically. For example, 7 rays penetrate very deeply but cause only occasional ionization. On the other hand, a particles, although they are not very penetrating, are very effective at causing ionization and produce serious damage. Therefore, the ingestion of a producer of a particles, such as plutonium, is particularly damaging. 

The ionizing ability of the radiation. Extraction of electrons from biomolecules to form ions is particularly detrimental to their functions. The ionizing ability of radiation... 

Radioactivity is a form of energy emitted by radioactive elements (radioisotopes or radionuclides). Radionuclides can present a health threat to humans and marine organisms because of the ionizing ability of the emitted radiation. The major pathway by which marine organisms and humans are exposed to radionuclides comes from consumption of fish and shellfish due to bioaccumulation of °Po and °Pb. Most of the °Po and Pb in the ocean is natural, but, human activities have increased their inputs to the coastal ocean. 

The biologic effects of radiation depend on the energy, the penetrating ability, the ionizing ability of the radiation, and the chemical properties of the nuclide producing the radiation... 

There are very strict limits on the amount of radioactivity that can be administered for each type of investigation to be performed. These limits are set by the legislative bodies in individual countries. Therefore, all radioactive preparations must be checked for activity before administration. Most radionuclide calibrators used in radiopharmacy are ionization chambers. Commercial calibrators have built in scaling factors for individual radionuclides that take into account the ionizing ability of the isotope and give a readout in the appropriate units (kBq or MBq, or mCi). However, this type of calibrator is not ideal for all radionuclides. Low-energy radiation, such as that produced by iodine may be attenuated before... 

The ionizing ability of the radiation. Because ions behave quite differently from neutral molecules, radiation that removes electrons from molecules in living tissues seriously disturbs their functions. 

Penetrating Power of Emissions The effect on living tissne of a radiation dose depends on the penetrating power and ionizing ability of the radiation. Since water is the main component of living tissne, penetrating power is often measured in terms of the depth of water that stops 50% of incoming radiation. In... 

Cancer is the major latent harmful effect produced by ionizing radiation and the one that most people exposed to radiation are concerned about. The ability of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation to produce cancer in virtually every tissue and organ in laboratory animals has been well-demonstrated. The development of cancer is not an immediate effect. In humans, radiation-induced leukemia has the shortest latent period at 2 years, while other radiation induced cancers have latent periods >20 years. The mechanism by which cancer is induced in living cells is complex and is a topic of intense study. Exposure to ionizing radiation can produce cancer at any site within the body however, some sites appear to be more common than others, such as the breast, lung, stomach, and thyroid. 

Chamberlain, Megaw and Wiffen (1957) and Megaw and Wiffen (1961) presented early reports of the ability of ionizing radiation to induce the formation of condensation nuclei in laboratory air. 

Alanine dosimeters are based on the ability of 1-a alanine (a crystalline amino acid) to form a very stable free radical when subjected to ionizing radiation. The alanine free radical yields an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal that is dose dependent, yet independent of the dose rate, energy type, and relatively insensitive to temperature and humidity. Alanine dosimeters are available in the form of pellets or films and can be used for doses ranging from 10 Gy to 200 kGy. A reference calibration service using the alanine EPR system was developed and the scans were sent to the service center by mail. Currently the available system allows transferring the EPR scan to a NIST server for a calibration certificate. This way the procedure has been shortened from days to hours. ... 

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