OBJECTIVES

•Explain the different effects of

electromagnetic radiation on living
things and the environment.
•Recognize the effects of EM waves on
living things.
 EFFECTS OF
ELECTROMAGNETIC
WAVES ON LIVING
THINGS
GROUP ACTIVITY
“EFFECTS OF EM
WAVES ON
LIVING THINGS”
 QUESTION
❑ Why are radio stations have
corresponding numbers on their
station’s names?
 EFFECTS OF
ELECTROMAGNETIC
WAVES ON LIVING
THINGS
 RADIO WAVES
People can be exposed to RF radiation from
both natural and man-made sources.

Natural sources include the Sun and Outer

Space, the sky-including lightning strike.

Man-made sources include Broadcasting

radio and TV signals, cell phone towers and
cellphones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Radar.
 RADIO WAVES
If radiofrequency radiation is
absorbed by the body in large
enough amounts, this can damage
the DNA (genes) inside the cell,
which can sometimes result in
cancer.
 MICROWAVES
Microwave radiation can heat body
tissue the same way it heats food.
Exposure to high levels of
microwaves can cause a painful
burn.
 MICROWAVES
Two areas of the body, the eyes and
the testes are particularly
vulnerable to RF heating because
there is relatively little blood flow
in them to carry excess heat.
 MICROWAVES

Additionally, the lens of the eye is

particularly sensitive to intense
heat, and exposure to a high level of
intense heat can cause cataracts.
 INFRARED
Infrared radiation is invisible to the
human eye starting from 780
nanometers (the last wavelength that a
human can see).

When exposed to a high amount of

infrared radiation, it mostly involves a
thermal effect on the eyes and skin.
 VISIBLE LIGHT
Visible light radiation
can exert various
biologic effects such as
erythema, pigmentation,
thermal damage and
free radical production.
 VISIBLE LIGHT
Additionally, visible
light exposure can
cause or exacerbate
photodermatoses such
as solar urticarial,
chronic actinic
dermatosis (CAD) and
cutaneous porphyrias.
 UV RAYS
UV rays, either from the sun or from an artificial
source like tanning beds, can cause sunburns.

Exposure to UV rays can cause premature

aging of the skin and sign of sun damage
such as wrinkles, leathery skin, and liver spots.
It can also cause eye problems. They can cause
the cornea to become inflamed or burned
which can lead to the cataract formation
 X -RAY
X-ray can cause
mutation in our DNA and
therefore, might lead to
cancer later in life,
for this reason, X-rays
are classified as a
carcinogen by WHO and
the US government.
 X -RAY
A higher absorbed dose
of X-ray radiation
means a higher risk for
adverse effects
including skin redness,
infertility, cataracts,
and hair loss.
 GAMMA RAY
Gamma rays have the
smallest wavelengths
and carry the highest
amount of energy
and can penetrate in all
matters that can change
the DNA (gene).
 GAMMA RAY
They are produced by
the hottest and the most
energetic objects in the
universe, such as
neutron stars. On earth,
gamma waves are
generated by nuclear
explosions and
lightning.
 GAMMA RAY
Gamma rays are known
human carcinogens
(cancer-causing
agents). They can
cause mutation in
growing tissues, so
unborn babies is very
vulnerable.
 ACTIVITY

DIRECTION:
1. Read the following statements.
2. For each one say if it is True /
Partly true / False.
 QUESTION

Why are high-frequency

electromagnetic waves like
gamma rays harmful to living
things?
 EM Waves Positive Negative
Effects Effects
Radio wave
Microwave
Infrared
Visible light
Ultraviolet
X - ray
Gamma-ray