NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THE

ELECTROMAGNETIC
RADIATION
BY – TYRONE STAVROS BARRACA
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF THE
ELECTROMAGNETIC
RADIATION

• Radiation is energy emitted from a body or source that is transmitted through an intervening medium or
space and absorbed by another body. Transmission is in the form of waves but wave/particle duality
under quantum physics.
• Radiation is classified as being either non-ionizing or ionizing. Non-ionizing radiation is longer
wavelength/lower frequency lower energy. While ionizing radiation is short wavelength/high frequency
higher energy.
TYPES OF NON-IONIZING RADIATION AND THEIR
NEGATIVE EFFECTS

ELF (Extremely low frequency)

• Research has focused on possible carcinogenic, reproductive, and
neurological effects. Other suggested health effects include cardiovascular,
brain and behavior, hormonal and immune system changes.
Radiofrequency and Microwave Frequency Exposures
• Occupational Exposures, Radar and communications equipment, industrial
and commercial ovens. Other Exposures, Cell Phones.
• Effects - There is a great deal of controversy regarding potential cancer risks,
particularly with cell phone use. We know that exposure to radio and
microwave frequency sources can cause burns and clinically this is what you
are most likely to see.
TYPES OF NON-IONIZING RADIATION AND THEIR
NEGATIVE EFFECTS

LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation)

• Effects can range from mild skin burns to irreversible injury to the skin and
eye. The biological damage caused by lasers is produced through thermal,
acoustical and photochemical processes.
Infrared
• Penetrates superficial layers of the skin, causes thermal injury, potential for
damage to the cornea, iris, and lens of the eye. Welding, glassmaking,
heating and dehydrating processes
Visible Spectrum
• Possibility of retinal injury from 400-500 nm blue frequencies. Some light
can be so intense that it can damage the receptor cells in your eye causing
temporary or permanent blindness. High powered lasers can also be
damaging and will cause burns.
TYPES OF NON-IONIZING RADIATION AND THEIR
NEGATIVE EFFECTS

Ultraviolet Radiation
• Exposure to UV rays can cause premature aging of the skin and signs
of sun damage such as wrinkles, leathery skin, liver spots, actinic
keratosis, and solar elastosis. UV rays can also cause eye problems.
They can cause the cornea (on the front of the eye) to become
inflamed or burned.
TYPES OF IONIZING RADIATION AND NEGATIVE THEIR EFFECTS

Gamma Rays
• The extremely high energy of gamma rays allows them to penetrate just about
anything. They can even pass through bones and teeth. This makes gamma rays
very dangerous. They can destroy living cells, produce gene mutations, and cause
cancer.
X-Rays
• X-rays are linked to a slightly increased risk of cancer, there is an extremely low risk
of short-term side effects. Exposure to high radiation levels can have a range of
effects, such as vomiting, bleeding, fainting, hair loss, and the loss of skin and hair
Alpha Particles
• If alpha-emitters are inhaled, swallowed, or get into the body through a cut, the
alpha particles can damage sensitive living tissue. The way these large, heavy
particles cause damage makes them more dangerous than other types of radiation.
TYPES OF IONIZING RADIATION AND NEGATIVE THEIR EFFECTS

Beta Particles
• A beta particle is about 8,000 times smaller than an alpha particle -- and
that's what makes them more dangerous. Their small size allows them to
penetrate clothing and skin. External exposure can cause burns and tissue
damage, along with other symptoms of radiation sickness.
Neutrons
• Neutrons can either cause cells to change in their functionality or to
completely stop replicating, causing damage to the body over time.
Neutrons are particularly damaging to soft tissues like the cornea of the
eye.
 SOURCES:
HTTPS://WWW.AOCOPM.ORG/ASSETS/DOCUMENTS/10-31-
11_BASIC_COURSE_III_ORLANDO/IONIZING%20AN%20NON.PDF
HTTPS://EHS.OREGONSTATE.EDU/LASER/TRAINING/LASER-
HAZARDS
HTTPS://WWW.OSHA.GOV/ELF-RADIATION/HEALTH-
EFFECTS#:~:TEXT=THE%20ISSUE%20OF%20EXTREMELY
%20LOW,HORMONAL%20AND%20IMMUNE%20SYSTEM
%20CHANGES.
HTTPS://SITES.GOOGLE.COM/SITE/MRJHELECTROMAGNETICSPEC
TRUM/HOME/VISIBLE-LIGHT
HTTPS://WWW.CANCER.ORG/CANCER/CANCER-
CAUSES/RADIATION-EXPOSURE/UV-RADIATION.HTML
HTTPS://FLEXBOOKS.CK12.ORG/CBOOK/CK-12-MIDDLE-SCHOOL-
PHYSICAL-SCIENCE-FLEXBOOK-
2.0/SECTION/18.9/PRIMARY/LESSON/GAMMA-RAYS-MS-
PS/#:~:TEXT=THE%20EXTREMELY%20HIGH%20ENERGY
THANK YOU!
%20OF,GENE%20MUTATIONS%2C%20AND%20CAUSE
%20CANCER.
TYRONE STAVROS BARRACA
HTTPS://WWW.EPA.GOV/RADIATION/RADIATION-BASICS
HTTPS://SCIENCE.HOWSTUFFWORKS.COM/RADIATION-
SICKNESS1.HTM
HTTPS://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/NEUTRON_RADIATION