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THE ORCBS > Radiation Safety > Radiation Safety Manual >
Various degrees
of sensitivity to radiation exist due to the type of tissue which
receives the exposure, and are shown below: |
Tissue
and Cell Sensitivity to Radiation| Radiosensitive | Radioresistant |
|---|---|
| Breast tissue | Heart tissue |
| Bone marrow cells | Large arteries |
| Mucosa lining of small intestines | Large veins |
| Sebaceous (fat) glands of skin | Mature blood cells |
| Immune response cells | Neurons |
| All stem cell populations | Muscle cells |
| Lymphocytes |
It is important, when considering the real versus the perceived risk of radiation exposures, to be aware of the acute effects of large radiation exposures. Without this information, one has no comparison to determine whether the radiation one is handling presents an actual risk, or does not. Often, fears exist that because the radiation is present and is measurable, a serious risk is present. The fact that we cannot see, smell, hear or feel the radiation sometimes magnifies the fears. The table below shows the effects of various types of high radiation exposures.
Effects of Acute Radiation Exposures in Humans
| Radiation Exposure | Effects |
|---|---|
| 10000 R; single dose, whole body | Death occurs within hours from apparent neurological and cardiovascular breakdown (Cerebrovascular syndrome) |
| 500 - 1200 R; single dose, whole body | Death occurs within days and is associated with bloody diarrhea and destruction of the intestinal mucosa. (Gastrointestinal syndrome) |
| 250 - 500 R; single dose, whole body 50% death rate | Death occurs several weeks after exposure due to damage to bone marrow (Hematopoietic syndrome) |
| 50 - 350 R and higher; single dose, whole body | Can produce various degrees of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, reddening of skin, loss of hair, blisters, depression of immune system |
| 100 R; Single dose, whole body | Mild radiation sickness, depressed white blood cell count |
| 400 - 500 R; local, low energy x-ray | Temporary hair loss |
| 600 - 900 R; local to the eye | Cataracts |
| 500 - 600 R to skin; local single dose, 200 keV | Threshold erythema in 7 - 10 days, followed by gradual repair and dull tanning |
| 1500 - 2000 R to skin; local single dose, 200 keV | Erythema, blistering, residual smooth soft depressed scar |
| 25 R; single dose, whole body | Lymphocytes temporarily disappear from circulating blood |
| 10 R; single dose, whole body | Elevated number of chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood; no other detectable injury or symptoms |
