Effects of Radiation

Ionizing radiation affects living things on the atomic level by ionizing cells. When the radiation reaches a cell, any of the following can happen.

1. There may be no change as it passes through the cell.
2. There may be some damage, but the cell repairs itself.
3. The radiation may change the cell's ability to reproduce and cause a mutation.
4. The cell may die.

In addition, there is evidence to suggest that unless radiation exposure reaches ten (10) times the normal background level, there is no harm to humans from radiation. Furthermore, there appears to be evidence that radiation at or near the normal background level may be beneficial to, and even necessary, for life.

For low levels of radiation exposure (under 10,000 mrem), the biological effects are so small they may not be detected at all. The body’s natural repair mechanisms often repair any damage to the cells before any effect is felt or detected. This protective effect of low levels of radiation is called “radiation hormesis.”