What is Ionizing Radiation?
Ionizing radiation is any of several types of particles and rays given off by radioactive material, high voltage equipment, nuclear reactions and the stars. The types that are generally important for your health are alpha and beta particles, X rays and gamma rays.
Alpha and beta are small pieces of high speed, emitted by radioactive atoms when they are transformed into another substance. X-rays and gamma rays are types of electromagnetic radiation. These radiation particles and rays carry enough energy to displace electrons from atoms and molecules (such as water, protein and DNA) that impact or passing by. This process is called ionization, so that this radiation is called “ionizing radiation.”
What happens to ionizing radiation as it enters the environment?
Ionizing radiation, which moves as fast as the speed of light, hits atoms and molecules in its path and loses some of its energy with each hit. When all energy is gone, essentially nothing left. Ionizing radiation does not make you radioactive – just leave some of their energy inside or anywhere that impacts
When ionizing radiation from outer space hits the top of the atmosphere, it produces a shower of cosmic rays that constantly exposed to every object on earth. Some of it hits the gases in the air and transforms radioactive material (such as tritium and carbon 14). Some radioactive materials are a natural part of the environment, such as uranium, which has been part of the land since it was formed. Other radioactive materials are manufactured by the industry to smoke detectors, medical examinations and other uses. These radioactive materials emit their ionizing radiation gradually until all the radioactive atoms decay.
Whenever radioactive material enters the environment, it behaves like other substances from the air, water, soil, plants and animals, while emitting radiation.
Some ionizing radiation is produced when needed, such as when doctors take X-rays
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