How Can Ionizing Radiation Affect Children?
How can ionizing radiation affect children?
Like adults, children are exposed to small amounts of ionizing radiation from the soil in which they live, food and water to eat and drink, the air we breathe and from extraterrestrial sources. There is no evidence that exposure to ionizing radiation levels that normally occur affects the health of children or adults.
If a pregnant woman is exposed to high levels of ionizing radiation, it is possible that your baby is born with certain brain abnormalities. There is a period of 8 weeks during early pregnancy when the fetus is particularly sensitive to the effects of ionizing radiation levels higher than normal. As ionizing radiation levels increase, so does the likelihood of brain abnormalities.
How can families reduce the risk of exposure to ionizing radiation?
When you or your children undergo X-rays, make sure to properly use protective equipment that grant. The technician will ensure that only the required area will be exposed to X-rays If you or your children are treated with a chemical that has a certain amount of radioactive material to diagnose or treat a disease, be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions after being treated.
Is there a medical test to show whether I’ve been exposed to ionizing radiation?
There are different types of tests to determine if you have been exposed to very high levels of ionizing radiation. There is a test to evaluate changes in the number of blood cells, but only exposure to high levels of ionizing radiation produce detectable changes. There is another test that examines their chromosomes. This test is useful for much higher doses than the maximum radiation dose allowed for persons working with radiation.
There are many ways to see if you have radioactive material in your body. There are specialized instruments that can measure radioactive material in the blood, feces, saliva, urine and whole body. The instrument is chosen based on the type of radiation being measured. These tests are not available in the doctor’s office.
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