SOS Nuclear Radiation Unveiled!

What is radiation?

Radiation is energy given off by matter in the form of rays or high-speed particles. There are many kinds of radiation and not all of them are dangerous.Heat and light are actually types of radiation that humans can see and feel. However, there are other types that we can’t detect. One of these is particle or “nuclear" radiation, which is used in nuclear power plants.

What is ionizing radiation?

Nuclear radiation is a type of ionizing radiation, which is invisible and passes through matter. We use ionizing radiation like x-rays and gamma rays all the time for medical purposes. However, large doses of ionizing radiation passing through living tissue can affect natural biological processes. Exposure to large doses can be harmful to one’s health.The effect of radiation exposure is dependent on three factors:
strength of the radiation
size of the body
length of exposure.

What is a nuclear meltdown?

When a nuclear power plant malfunctions, unchecked nuclear reactions can cause the radioactive material and its container to heat up and melt. The material may escape into the surrounding environment if the containment structure has been damaged.The process is similar to an overheating engine: if its radiator or cooling system malfunctions, a motor will heat up and its parts will bind and eventually fail.The resulting danger from a nuclear meltdown is exposure to the environment of radioactive material, but not a nuclear explosion.

How can someone come into contact with radiation?

Radiation cannot be spread from person to person. Small quantities of radioactive materials occur naturally in the air, drinking water, food and our own bodies.
People also can come into contact with radiation through medical procedures, such as X-rays and some cancer treatments.