Nonionizing radiations

Nonionizing radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation, and it has varying effects on the body, depending largely on the particular wavelength of the radiation involved. In the following 

Low frequency, with longer wavelengths, includes power line transmission frequencies, broadcast radio, and shortwave radio. Each of these can produce general heating of the body. The health hazard from these radiations is very small, however, since it is unlikely that they would be found in intensities great enough to cause significant effect. An exception can be found very close to powerful radio transmitter aerials. 

An intolerable rise in body temperature, as well as localized damage to specific organs can result from an exposure of sufficient intensity and time. In addition, flammable gases and vapors may ignite when they are inside metallic objects located in a MW beam. Power intensities for MWs are given in units of milliwatts per square centimeter (mW/cm ), and areas that have a power intensity of over lOmW/cm for a period of 0.1 h or longer should be avoided. 

Ultraviolet radiation in industry may be found aronnd electrical arcs, and such arcs should be shielded by materials opaque to the ultraviolet The fact that a material may be opaque to ultraviolet has no relation to its opacity to other parts of the spectrum. Ordinary window glass, for instance, is almost completely opaque to the ultraviolet in snnlight at the same time, it is transparent to the visible light waves. A piece of plastic, dyed a deep red-violet, may be almost entirely opaque in the visible part of the spectrum and transparent in the near-nltraviolet. Electric welding arcs and 

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT A PRACTICAL APPROACH 

Sunlight and other sources of nonionizing electromagnetic radiation can affect foods. For example, it has been shown that sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and benzoic acid exhibit additive photogenotoxic effects on Escherichia coli, causing increased mutations upon exposure to sunlight. I76l Such effects potentially increase the toxic risks associated with food additives. 

Excipients are inactive ingredients in drugs and vitamin and mineral preparations. These compounds are considered to be inert, not affecting the intended functioning of the active ingredients. Excipients, which frequently constitute the majority of the mass or volume of oral preparations, have a variety of purposes that include 

Almost 800 chemicals have been approved by the FDA for use as inactive additives in drug products. Labeling regulations do not require that they be listed on product labelsJ77  

Excipients are not foods, but many are identical to chemicals used as food additives, leading to multiple sources and increasing doses when foods, prescription drugs, and/or over-the-counter medications containing them are ingested at the same time. Though excipients are extensively used in inhalational, parenteral, and ophthalmic medications, the consideration here is limited to ingestion. Effects of toxic inhalational, parenteral, and ophthalmic excipients are considered in the Chapters 18, 23, and 28. 

Infrared radiation does not penetrate below the superficial layer of the skin so that its only effect is to heat the skin and the tissues immediately below it Except for thermal bums, the health hazard upon exposure to low level conventional infrared radiation soinces is n ligible. 

The most common exposure to ultraviolet radiation is from direct sunlight, and a familiar result of overexposure—one that is known to all sunbathers—is sunburn. Most everyone is also familiar with certain compounds and lotions that reduce the effects of the sun s rays, but many are unaware that some industrial materials, such as cresols, make the skin especially sensitive to ultraviolet rays. So much so that after having been exposed to cresols, even a short exposure in the sun usually results in a severe sunburn. 

Nonionizing radiation, although perceived not to be as dangerous as ionizing radiation, does have its share of adverse health effects accompanying it. 

Between tasks adjacent darker surroundings Between tasks and adjacent lighter surroundings Between tasks and more remote darker surfaces Between tasks and more remote Ughter surfaces 

Between luminaires (or windows, skyUghts) and surfaces adjacent to them Anywhere widiin normal field of view 

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Does the employer comply with 29 CFR, Subpart G (OSHA standards for ventilation, noise, and ionizing and nonionizing radiation) [OSHA Reference. 120(g)(l)(iv)]... 

Radiation (ionizing) Alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, x-rays, and other particles capable of producing ions does not include nonionizing radiation forms such as radio waves, microwaves, or visible, infrared, or ultraviolet light. 

Table 12.1 Products that depend on nonionizing radiation...

We are constantly exposed to ionizing and nonionizing radiation from naturally occurring sources as well as radiation generated and managed by our society. The challenge is to understand and manage the risk and benefits of our individual exposure. 

Some radiation is helpful and necessary, as in the case of sunlight, which allows us to see the world. The nonionizing radiation of the sun warms us, but too much ultraviolet radiation can cause sunburn or cancer depending on our individual sensitivity. There is clearly a dose - response relationship between exposure and effect, with individual sensitivity playing an important role. Microwave and radiofrequency radiation are incredibly useful in heating and transmitting information. 

Ionizing radiation is far more dangerous than nonionizing radiation because it can directly damage cellular DNA and proteins, causing cell death or possibly cancer. 

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). Online. Available HTTP (accessed 9 April 2003). (ARPANSA) is charged with responsibility for protecting the health and safety of people, and the environment, from the harmful effects of ionizing and nonionizing radiation . 

This site has a tremendous amount of information on ionizing and nonionizing radiation and environmental contamination. 

US New Jersey - Nonionizing Radiation Section. Online. Available HTTP (accessed 9 April 2003). 

Net Ionic Equation a chemical equation that shows only the ionic species that actually take part in the reaction Neutralization process that occurs when an acid reacts with a base, a type of reaction involving an acid and base Newton SI unit for force equal to 1 kg-m/s Nonelectrolyte a substance that does not conduct current when it is dissolved in water Nonionizing Radiation electromagnetic radiation with insufficient energy to dislodge electrons and cause ionization in human tissue, for example, radio waves, microwave, visible light Nonmetal elements found on the right side of the periodic table that conduct heat and electricity poorly... 

In the future the nature of chemical exposure has been predicted to change. The level of exposures will decrease, but at the same time simultaneous exposure to many chemicals with low concentration will become more general as the usage of chemicals in the society is growing continuously. In western countries, approximately 200-1000 new chemicals (in quantities of 500 kg or more) are developed and introduced into the marketplace every year. A potential reproductive hazard, in addition to chemicals, is ionizing and nonionizing radiation, the use of which will also grow in future work environment. It has been estimated that internationally the number of workers exposed to radiation will increase over 100 % by the year 2000. 

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