(4)
Location of radiation source as a factor
(a)
External source
1)
Alpha not harmful generally (certain high.
energy alphas can produce skin burns)
(ob)
2)
Beta harmful in close proximity
3)
Gamma and neutron most difficult to handle
Internal source
1)
Radioactive material that seeks particular
organs most harmful
2)
Biological half life of material (time it
takes to eliminate through biological processes one half of total amount of ingested
radioactive material)
Effects of radiation on specific parts of the body (it should
be noted that these effects have been observable only after
large doses)
a.
Blood and bone marrow
(1)
Effect of massive acute dose
(a)
Decrease in white blood cells
(b)
Changes in clotting mechanism
(c)
Impairment in the formation of antibodies against
infection
(d)
(2)
Possibility of anemia
Effects from chronic exposure
(a)
Possibility of leukemia
1-6
DO’ ARCHIVES -