Säteilyvauriot

Säteilyvauriot refers to damage caused by exposure to ionizing radiation. This radiation can be from natural sources like cosmic rays and radon, or artificial sources such as medical imaging, radiation therapy, nuclear power plants, and weapons. The effects of radiation damage depend on the dose received, the duration of exposure, and the specific tissues or organs affected.

There are two main categories of radiation effects: deterministic and stochastic. Deterministic effects, also known as tissue reactions, occur when a significant dose of radiation damages a large number of cells in a tissue or organ. These effects have a threshold dose below which they do not occur, and their severity increases with the dose. Examples include skin burns, hair loss, cataracts, and infertility.

Stochastic effects, on the other hand, are probabilistic in nature and do not have a threshold dose. They are thought to arise from damage to DNA in a single cell, which can lead to mutations. The probability of these effects occurring increases with dose, but their severity is independent of the dose. The primary stochastic effect is cancer, where mutations can lead to uncontrolled cell growth. Genetic effects in offspring are also considered stochastic.

The body has repair mechanisms to fix radiation-induced DNA damage. However, if the damage is too extensive or if repair mechanisms fail, it can lead to cell death or mutations, resulting in radiation injury. Radiation protection measures are in place to minimize unnecessary exposure and reduce the risk of these adverse health effects.