Radiation Exposure: Human Reactions to Low Levels

  • Thread starter Mike Rock
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Radiation
In summary: Thanks for the input!In summary, humans would have a hard time adapting to living in an atmosphere that consists of 0.002% of radiation.
  • #1
Mike Rock
4
0
How would humans react to living in an atmosphere that consists of 0.002% of radiation?
 
Science news on Phys.org
  • #2
Welcome to PF!

I'm sorry, but the question makes no sense as worded. "Radiation" is not a gas so it can't be a component of an atmosphere. Can you reword?
 
  • #3
In this context "radiation" refers to high energy particles or EM radiation that are emitted from radioactive decay, so it can't make up part of the atmosphere. Instead, there would be unstable, radioactive isotopes that decay and emit radiation. How people would respond to this highly depends on the specific radioactive isotopes that make up this 0.002% of the atmosphere.
 
  • #4
russ_watters said:
Welcome to PF!
I'm sorry, but the question makes no sense as worded. "Radiation" is not a gas so it can't be a component of an atmosphere. Can you reword?
I'm sorry I don't know anything about science so I don't know how to word things.

Radiation that kills people.
How much would have to be exposed to someone so that they have 15 years to live?
 
  • #5
Drakkith said:
In this context "radiation" refers to high energy particles or EM radiation that are emitted from radioactive decay, so it can't make up part of the atmosphere. Instead, there would be unstable, radioactive isotopes that decay and emit radiation. How people would respond to this highly depends on the specific radioactive isotopes that make up this 0.002% of the atmosphere.
Well what different types of radioactive isotopes are there?
 
  • #6
Mike Rock said:
How much would have to be exposed to someone so that they have 15 years to live?
There's no simple answer to that question - too many variables. You might try this wikipedia article, follow some of the links and references from there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acute_radiation_syndrome
 
  • #7
Mike Rock said:
Well what different types of radioactive isotopes are there?

Lots. Most elements have multiple isotopes, some of which are radioactive. Google "radioactive isotopes", read what you find, come back here with some more specific questions and you'll get better answers.
 
  • #8
Nugatory said:
Lots. Most elements have multiple isotopes, some of which are radioactive. Google "radioactive isotopes", read what you find, come back here with some more specific questions and you'll get better answers.
Ok cheers
 
  • #9
Mike Rock said:
Well what different types of radioactive isotopes are there?

Well, if you look at this chart of the isotopes: http://www.nndc.bnl.gov/chart/, each box represents one of the known isotopes of elements that physicists have measured in some way. Now, the black boxes are the only ones that are stable. So, actually, most of the isotopes we know are radioactive. But, then again, most of these you'll never see on Earth. (Many of them you will see in astrophysical environments though).

However, if you're interested in this for a story, you're going to want to think about what possible isotopes could be released into the atmosphere to cause damage. So you should research what can be released from a fission weapon - that will reduce the pool of isotopes.

Then! You need to consider the biological effects of these isotopes. Different isotopes obviously have different chemistry and different ways of bio-accumulation - iodine is taken up by the thyroid, and strontium is taken up by bones, so have different effects, and require different amounts to do damage.

Then! You should look at some of the data about what thresholds are considered dangerous. In radiation safety, there are sort of two different ways you consider damage - direct effects (radiation sickness from very large doses), and stochastic effects from small doses (e.g. cancer). Anything that kills you in 15 years is a stochastic effect, and there is no way that everyone will die at once.

If it helps, the rough rule of thumb is that 1 μSv of radiation (remember that Sv depends on the type of radiation) increases your risk of cancer by one part in 21,000,000 (21 million), increases the risk of severe hereditary effects by one part in 125,000,000 (125 million) and has a total risk of one part in 18 million.

But the effect of radiation on people is a super super complicated (super interesting and super important) business, and you should really do some more research and think about it.
 
  • #10
@Mike Rock
Would I be right in thinking that this is about a scenario for a SF story?
 
  • #11
This thread should probably be merged with his other one in the sci fi forum.
 
  • #12
QuantumPion said:
This thread should probably be merged with his other one in the sci fi forum.

As long as the thread stays on the topic of radiation exposure, I'm content to leave it here. Any talk of the story details or anything having to do with creating a story will need to be in a thread in the sci-fi forum.
 
  • #13
Ha. That's why I asked the reason for the question.
 

Related to Radiation Exposure: Human Reactions to Low Levels

1. What are the potential health effects of low levels of radiation exposure?

Low levels of radiation exposure have been linked to an increased risk of cancer, as well as other health effects such as skin damage, organ damage, and genetic mutations.

2. How can we measure a person's exposure to radiation?

We can measure a person's exposure to radiation through dosimeters, which are devices that detect and measure the amount of radiation a person has been exposed to. These can be worn on the body or placed in the environment.

3. What is the difference between acute and chronic radiation exposure?

Acute radiation exposure refers to a high dose of radiation received over a short period of time, while chronic radiation exposure refers to a lower dose of radiation received over a longer period of time. Acute exposure can cause immediate health effects, while chronic exposure may lead to long-term health effects.

4. How can we protect ourselves from radiation exposure?

We can protect ourselves from radiation exposure by limiting the amount of time we spend near sources of radiation, such as X-rays or nuclear power plants. We can also wear protective clothing and equipment, and follow safety protocols when handling radioactive materials.

5. Are there any long-term effects of low levels of radiation exposure?

While the immediate effects of low levels of radiation exposure may not be noticeable, there is evidence that long-term exposure can lead to an increased risk of cancer and other health issues. However, the level of risk is dependent on the amount and duration of exposure, as well as other factors such as age and overall health.

Similar threads

Radiation Safety: Understanding Exposure and Risk
    • Thermodynamics
2
Replies
49
Views
6K
UV radiation vs. the real daytime exposure
    • Thermodynamics
Replies
1
Views
5K
Is a single atom hot? Will it emit radiation?
    • Thermodynamics
Replies
6
Views
1K
Does Radiation from X-Rays/CT Stay in Body Forever (Risks)?
    • Biology and Medical
2
Replies
46
Views
4K
The Draper point and why can't we see human radiation
    • Thermodynamics
Replies
14
Views
1K
Question about infrared radiation
    • Thermodynamics
Replies
8
Views
1K
Brewster's angle, dipole radiation and refraction
    • Thermodynamics
Replies
2
Views
2K
Skin temperature increase due to radiation absorption
    • Thermodynamics
Replies
3
Views
1K
B Can alpha radiation make other materials radioactive?
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
6
Views
1K
A Radiation back reaction in classical electrodynamics
    • Classical Physics
Replies
5
Views
899

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top