Radiobiology

Radiobiology, also known as radiation biology, is a specialized branch of clinical and basic medical sciences. It delves into understanding the effects and interactions of ionizing radiation on living organisms.

Health effects

Ionizing radiation has a multifaceted impact on living beings. While predominantly harmful and potentially lethal, controlled exposure can be beneficial in radiation therapy for ailments like cancer and thyrotoxicosis. Some common consequences of radiation include:

• Induction of cancer, which may manifest years or decades post-exposure.
• Radiation burns, which are visually prominent injuries.
• Acute radiation syndrome leading to rapid fatalities in case of high doses.
• Use in controlled doses for medical imaging and radiotherapy.

There is a hypothesis that low doses might possess a mild hormetic effect, enhancing health.[1]

Stochastic effects

These effects have a probability that amplifies with increased dosage. However, their severity remains independent of the dose.[2] Examples include radiation-induced:

• Cancer
• Teratogenesis
• Cognitive decline
• Heart diseases

Deterministic effects

Effects that reliably manifest above a specific threshold dose and whose severity augments with the dose fall under this category.[2] This includes:

• Radiation burns
• Acute and chronic radiation syndrome
• Radiation-induced thyroiditis

Other documented effects comprise radiation-induced lung injuries, cataracts, and infertility.[2]

Exposure Pathways

Exposure to ionizing radiation can happen in multiple ways:

External

This is when the radioactive source remains outside the body.

Internal

Here, the radioactive substance is inhaled, ingested, or enters the body through wounds.

History

The exploration of radiobiology began with the discovery of radioactivity and understanding the potential health implications of radiation exposure.

Areas of interest

Radiobiology encompasses various areas, from studying the cellular responses to radiation to its broader ecological impact.

Radiation sources for radiobiology

Multiple radiation sources, both natural and man-made, are used for studying radiobiological effects.

Prominent organizations studying radiobiological effects include:

• International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP)
• International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU)
• United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR)
• US National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP)
• UK Public Health England
• US National Academy of Sciences (NAS through the BEIR studies)
• French Institut de radioprotection et de sûreté nucléaire (IRSN)
• European Committee on Radiation Risk (ECRR)

See also

• Background radiation
• Cell survival curve
• Health threat from cosmic rays
• NASA Space Radiation Laboratory
• Nuclear medicine
• Radioactivity in biology
• Radiology
• Radiophobia
• Radiosensitivity
• Relative biological effectiveness

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