Abstract
During their lifetime, humans are exposed to physical, chemical, and
biological agents. Among the physical agents, ionizing radiations can produce
damage to molecular systems. Ionizing radiations have been known to
induce a broad spectrum of genetic effects, including gene, minisatellite
mutations, micronucleus formation, chromosome aberrations, ploidy changes
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) strand breaks and chromosome instability. It
has long been known to be deleterious after high dose exposure (>100mSv),
predominantly inducing cancer although very high dose exposures yield to
tissue damage and ultimately death. Furthermore, ionizing radiation has
been called the "universal carcinogen" in that it might induce cancer in most
tissues of most species at all ages, including fetus.
The hazards of exposure to ionizing radiation were recognized shortly
after Roentgen's discovery of the x-ray in 1895. Acute skin reactions were
observed in many individuals working with early x-ray generators, and by
1902 the first radiation-induced cancer was reported arising in an ulcerated
area of the skin. Then, a few years later, a large number of cancers were
2 observed, and the first report of leukemia in five radiation workers appeared
in 1911. Indeed, Marie Curie and her daughter Irene are both thought to have
died of radiation-induced leukemia.
Original language | English |
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Place of Publication | Baghdad, Iraq |
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State | Published - 1 Mar 2009 |