Radiation and what do to about it

 Radiation is a process in which energetic particles or energy or waves travel through a medium or space. Wikipedia

Following the events occurring in Japan, there has been a greater interest in both the safety of nuclear reactors and the effects of radiation. The three critical components of determining the lethality of the radiation according to experts are;

• the intensity of exposure
• its duration
• and access to treatment

The simplest way of minimizing exposure to radiation is to get well away from the source. However, as XKCD shows in this chart below, it can be hard to get away from radiation entirely in this modern world. Radiation exposure is charted from something as simple as sleeping next to someone, to spending 10 minutes next to the Chernobyl reactor whiles it’s in meltdown.

On RIANOVOSTI they have done up an infographic of the effects of radiation on the human body.

Signs and Symptoms
Signs and Symptoms of radiation poisoning can be broken down into three main categories: hematopoietic, gastrointestinal and neurological/vascular.

• Hematopoietic - Decrease in blood cells which results in infections due to low white blood cells, bleeding due to low platelets, and anemia due to low red blood cells.
• Gastrointestinal - Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain.
• Neurovascular - Dizziness, headache, or decreased level of consciousness.

Treatment/Management
The most common form of treatment for exposure to Nuclear Radiation is Potassium iodide. Potassium iodide is only effective in protecting the thyroid and consequently only limits the likelihood of developing thyroid cancer.

Some other treatment options for radiation, with varying degrees of success include;

• Beta carotene
• Dihydroquercetin and sulfur
• Shark liver oil
• Modified citrus pectin
• Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
• Sodium alginate

Management is the mainstay for approaching radiation poisoning and consists of addressing symptoms and supporting the human body.

The WHO have a list of recommendations for minimizing radiation exposure, available here.