Radioactivity

The end of the 19th century was marked by two outstanding discoveries: in 1895, Wilhelm
Konrad Roentgen discovered a new, previously unknown type of radiation, later called X-rays, and a year
later, Antoine Becquerel found that uranium spontaneously emits invisible rays - a phenomenon that
was called radioactivity. Further, it was found that these radiations have the ability to ionize atoms and
molecules, as well as bring them into an excited state, as a result of which the latter acquire new
properties, in particular, they are able to enter into reactions and form compounds that they had not
previously formed.

Thus, Ionizing radiation was discovered - a type of energy released by atoms in the form of
electromagnetic waves (gamma radiation and X-rays) or particles (neutrons, beta and alpha particles).
Ionizing radiation does not include visible light and ultraviolet, which only in some cases can ionize a
substance. Infrared radiation and radio waves are not ionizing because their energy is insufficient to
ionize atoms and molecules. The spontaneous decay of atoms is called radioactivity, and the excess of
the resulting energy is a form of ionizing radiation. Unstable elements formed during decay and emitting
ionizing radiation are called radionuclides.

People are constantly exposed to natural sources of ionizing radiation, such as soil, water,
plants. We receive small doses of radiation from food, buildings, structures. Even the human body itself
is a source of natural radiation. People are also exposed to natural radiation from space, especially at
high altitudes, when flying or high in the mountains. In addition, ionizing radiation has numerous
beneficial uses - in medicine, industry, agriculture and research. As the use of ionizing radiation expands,
so does the spectrum of health hazards if this radiation is used or not appropriately limited.
Acute health effects, such as skin burns, can occur when the radiation dose exceeds certain
levels. Low doses of ionizing radiation increase the risk of developing longer-term effects, such as
cancer. For the first time, the damaging effect of ionizing radiation was described in 1896, when X-ray
dermatitis was found in a number of patients who took x-rays, as well as doctors who performed them.
The same pattern of skin lesions was found after exposure to radium. Pierre Curie, wanting to find out
the effect of radium radiation on the skin, irradiated his own hand!

The impact of ionizing radiation on the human body can be internal (when radionuclides enter
the internal environment of the body) and external (when radioactive particles are deposited on the skin
or clothing). Exposure can also result from radiation from an external source (such as X-ray equipment).

The first and main mechanism of the effect of ionizing radiation on body tissues is the radiolysis
of water. The resulting free radicals cause a whole cascade of pathological reactions. The second
mechanism is the influence on the chemical bonds of molecules that play a decisive role in the
biochemical processes of protein synthesis. Thus, all synthetic processes are stopped, the cell is
destroyed. And the faster the cells divide and the more intensive metabolic processes take place in
them, the less resistant they are to radiation. Therefore, sex cells, precursor cells of blood corpuscles,
lymphocytes, cells of the gastrointestinal tract are at increased risk. Hence the frequent development of
such severe consequences as blood cancer, infertility.

An important protective technique for strengthening the body in an unfavorable radiological

background (which is important for some biogeochemical provinces) is the organization of optimal
nutrition. The main principles of building food rations in a territory contaminated with radioactive
isotopes are an increase in the amount of proteins up to 15% of the caloric content of the diet and an
increase in the diet by 20-50% in comparison with the recommended age norms for the content of
antioxidant vitamins: E, C, A, bioflavonoids, and dietary fiber by 30%. It is also necessary to ensure an
increased intake of minerals: calcium, potassium, iodine, magnesium, iron, selenium. To achieve these
goals, it is necessary to have sufficient content in the diet of low-fat varieties of meat, poultry, fish, dairy
products, widespread use of fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs obtained and grown in ecologically
favorable areas, since the products themselves accumulate radionuclides if grown on contaminated
territory.

In our lives, we are constantly faced with the influence of ionizing radiation, but there is no need
to worry - the harm to health from "everyday" natural sources is much less harm from worry about this.