 |
| Source: h.e.s.e. project. |
We live in an ocean of radiation. Some of this energy is natural, other is man-made. An example of natural radiation is the light and heat form the Sun. We are bathed daily by sunlight. Life as we know it depends on this type of radiation on Earth.
Man also generates radiation from his technological inventions:
Depending on how it affects matter, there are two kinds of radiation: ionising and non-ionising.
Ionising radiation includes the radiations emitted by the radioactive decay of radioactive substances, X-rays and cosmic rays.
Near ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, microwave, radio waves, and low-frequency radio frequency (longwave) are all examples of non-ionizing radiation (Wikipedia, 2014).
That ionising radiation has harmful effects on living organisms is a well known fact. We only have to remember the nuclear disasters of Chernobyl and Fukushima.
On the other hand, the question of whether or not non-ionising radiation can cause damage in humans or other living organisms has long been debated by scientists.
But finally, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has recently stated that non-ionizing radiation could cause cancer in humans.
According to the IARC, non-ionising radiation can produce non-mutagenic effects, such as inciting thermal energy in biological tissue which can lead to burns (Wikipedia, 2014).
The IARC has also stated that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (including microwave and millimeter waves) could have a carcinogenic effect in humans.
Man also generates radiation from his technological inventions:
- Radiowaves for communication,
- Microwaves for cooking,
- Electromagnetic waves from mobile telephone units and towers, power lines and other domestic electrical appliances,
- X-ray for medical applications and investigations,
- Radar for navigation,
- Gamma rays and alpha and beta particles from nuclear plants or nuclear accidents,
- Neutron particles from nuclear reactors.
Depending on how it affects matter, there are two kinds of radiation: ionising and non-ionising.
Ionising radiation includes the radiations emitted by the radioactive decay of radioactive substances, X-rays and cosmic rays.
Near ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, microwave, radio waves, and low-frequency radio frequency (longwave) are all examples of non-ionizing radiation (Wikipedia, 2014).
That ionising radiation has harmful effects on living organisms is a well known fact. We only have to remember the nuclear disasters of Chernobyl and Fukushima.
On the other hand, the question of whether or not non-ionising radiation can cause damage in humans or other living organisms has long been debated by scientists.
But finally, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has recently stated that non-ionizing radiation could cause cancer in humans.
According to the IARC, non-ionising radiation can produce non-mutagenic effects, such as inciting thermal energy in biological tissue which can lead to burns (Wikipedia, 2014).
The IARC has also stated that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (including microwave and millimeter waves) could have a carcinogenic effect in humans.
The IARC from the WHO (World
Health Organization) has published two volumes on non-ionising radiation and its effects on living organisms:
Both volumes are available to the public:
NON-IONIZING RADIATION, PART 1 - STATIC AND EXTREMELY LOW-FREQUENCY (ELF)
ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS.
IARC MONOGRAPH 80
Click HERE
NON-IONIZING RADIATION, PART 2 – RADIOFREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS.
IARC MONOGRAPH 102
Click HERE
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario