Medical Center and Hospital Radiation Exposure, Renewed Concerns - Health

Various recently published studies about the relationship between low dose radiation and cancer fanned again the discussion about risk and benefits of modern diagnostic techniques and in particular Computer Tomography (CT). According to an article recently published in IMAGE (Marie H. Meynadier, Vol. 21, no. 10 - March 10, 2008), it is predictable that in a few decades up to 2 percent of cancers in the United States could be linked to the administration of diagnostic x-rays, even if the ability to monitor the increase in cancer related to radiation exposure will be very difficult as radiation-induced cancer can take up to 20 years to develop.

Since many years the relationship between cancer development and radiation exposure has been studied and there are hundreds if not thousands of publications related to this topic. The problem is that a third of all people get cancer anyway, at some time in their lives, and hence it is quite difficult to find evidence that low doses of radiation cause cancers that would not have otherwise occurred. Even for the 80,000 to 90,000 survivors of the atomic bombs exploded over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, exposed to very large radiation doses, it has been hard to find a direct relationship between excess cancer development and radiation exposure. According to Japanese statistics, from the people who were exposed in 1945 (and did not die immediately) nearly half are still alive. A statistically significant increase in cancer was found at relatively high exposure level of 50 millisieverts (mSv is the unit commonly used to measure the effective dose in diagnostic medical procedures), whi ch is about 16 times the current annual average for Americans from medical exams and about 21 times above the average natural background effective dose in the USA. But these numbers need to be analyzed with care. There is a controversy between scientists if levels below 50 mSv can be considered as safe and about the real (and statistically proven) rest-risk of low radiation exposure.

The most widely used mathematical model in estimating radiation risk is known as the linear-nonthreshold dose-respond model. This model assumes that there is no safe dose of radiation and that there is a linear and direct relation between cancer risk and genetic damage with radiation exposure. But this model is in discussion since a long time. For some scientists the linear model is the best way to estimate radiation risk, but for others there exist a threshold below which radiation poses no hazard to health.

It is not difficult to identify the most important sources of man-made or anthropogenic radiation. Most of the collective dose from diagnostic radiology comes from procedures such as CT, interventional radiology and barium enemas. Advances in radiological diagnostic technology have radically transformed medical practice in recent years and there has been a rapid increase particularly in the application of CT. Effective dose estimates of CT scans and nuclear medicine studies are in the range of 10 to 25 mSv for a single study, which is about 100 times larger than those from conventional radiological procedures such as chest x-rays. Although CT scanners contribute to only 12 percent of all medical radiation procedures, the number of CT scans is on the rise. In the United States for instance, no more than 3 million studies using CT were performed in 1980 and in 2006 this number was already above 60 million. Overall, the mean effective dose in the US from all medical x-rays ha s increased about seven-fold over this period and the situation in Europe is not very different. There are several scientific studies proving a relationship between small radiation doses and cancer formation.

One of these studies, already published in the year 2000 (Spine, Morin Doody et al, Volume 25(16) August 15, 2000), was conducted with 5,573 females aged 20 and younger from 14 orthopedic medical centers in the United States who had been diagnosed with scoliosis between 1912 and 1965. Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person's spine is curved from side to side, and may also be rotated. The goal of the study was to evaluate breast cancer mortality patterns among women with scoliosis and the risks associated with diagnostic radiographic exposure. Doody and coworkers showed that exposure to multiple diagnostic radiographic examinations during childhood and adolescence may increase the risk of breast cancer among women with scoliosis. Even if this study addresses radiology exams taken on older technology, the issue is still relevant, as scoliosis patients usually receive repeated radiographic exams and CT scans for therapy and treatment. As scoliosis generally is dia gnosed even before adolescence, these susceptible young patients are already exposed to relatively high radiation doses during their growth period. As discussed in an other recently published study (Hall et al., British Journal of Radiology 81, 362-378, 2008), the relevant organ doses during CT scans are in the range for which there is now direct credible epidemiological evidence of an excess risk of cancer, without the need to extrapolate risks from higher doses. However, even for high-dose radiological procedures, the risk to the individual patient is small, so that the benefit/risk balance is generally in the patients' favour. Concerns arise when CT examinations are used without a proven clinical rationale, when alternative modalities could be used with equal efficacy, or when CT scans are repeated unnecessarily. According to this study, it is assumed that about one-third of all CT performed in the US could be avoided using alternative diagnostic tools. According to Hall, "at this time, the benefit/risk balance for any of the commonly suggested CT screening techniques has yet to be established."

iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software

What to Do When You Come Across Nuclear Radiation - Health - Wellness

Recently, nuclear reactor accident occurred in Japan and triggered the nuclear radiation problem. So, how to prevent it? Here I will summarize several treatments and key points so that we can minimum the harm when disaster occurs.

Once the accident occurs, the public must try to get as much information as possible to know the governments decision and notice. Thus, people should keep communication with local government via various methods such as television, radio and telephone. Do not believe in rumors. The second thing is to take necessary self-protection measures immediately according to the information of local government. According to the arrangements of local government, people evacuate the place in an organized and orderly way to avoid the serious negative effects the withdrawal brings.

Select nearby buildings to hide and reduce the direct external exposure and inhalation of air pollution. Close doors, windows and ventilation equipment including air conditioners and fans. When air pollution is over, open the windows and doors and ventilation devices quickly.

Take shielding measures. Add a layer of radiation shielding material that is thick enough between the people and radiation source to reduce the external exposure dose. Main materials are lead, reinforced concrete and water. The buildings we live in are good shields to external radiation. When it is judged that a radiological dispersal event occurs, people should try to hide in the direction toward side of the wind and enter into the building quickly.

Use wet towel and cloth to cover your nose and mouth to protect the respiratory tract. If you suspect that the surface of the body is polluted by radioactive contamination, you can have a bath and change clothes to reduce the pollution. Follow the arrangement of the local authorities and decide whether to control the usage of local food and water.

Whats more, if the nuclear and radiological terrorism events occur, the public should pay special attention to maintaining a stable state of mind and do not fear.

iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software

Despite Improving Situation in Japan, Still Risk of Radiation Exposure - Health - Diseases and Conditions

The nuclear crisis in Japan may be slowly improving, but we are not completely out of the clear when it comes to radiation exposure. Despite assurances by the U.S. government that there is no real risk of radiation exposure here in North America, fears are continuing to rise over the potential clouds of radioactive fallout (radioactive isotopes) that may travel via jet stream winds and contaminate local areas, especially on the West Coast.

Could this really happen? While this is a tough question which experts and authorities are undoubtedly grappling with by the minute, the general answer is yes. If explosions from the damaged nuclear plants in Japan propel radioactive materials into the upper atmosphere, jet stream winds can carry them far and wide, causing cumulative repercussions across the globe. Adding to the anxiety is the general sense that accurate information regarding the severity of this devastating crisis is being kept from the general public, both here and in Japan, to prevent widespread panic.

As a result, weve seen an enormous demand for the supplement potassium iodine to help protect against radiation exposure, and many West Coast suppliers are now completely out of stock. However, this supplement is not a cure all for radiation-related illnesses, and only protects from thyroid cancer by preventing the thyroid the organ most vulnerable to radiation from absorbing radioactive iodine, called iodine-131. The radioactive isotope Cesium-134 has also been leaking from the Japanese reactors in addition to iodine -131, and there is reason to believe that other radioactive isotopes such as Strontium-90 are leaking into the atmosphere as well.

It is very important to note that successful thyroid protection with potassium iodine is extremely dependant on timing with regards to such radiation exposure, and even still, will not protect against these other radioactive isotopes. It can also pose problems for people with thyroid issues. Nevertheless, potassium iodine can be an important preventative in this case, but other supplements and foods which are known to remove radioactive isotopes from the body and protect against DNA mutation must be taken as well if the risk of exposure is indeed real.

Dangers of Radiation ExposureRadioactive isotope particles, including Iodine-131, Cesium-134, Strontium-90 and others which are present in radioactive fallout, can be inhaled, ingested through radiation-contaminated food and water, and/or deposited onto the skin. Radioactive particles are particularly damaging to DNA, and can easily cause mutations which eventually lead to cancer, birth defects, cardiovascular disease and other life threatening health problems.

There are many short term health effects caused by significant exposure as well. Acutely, radioactive isotopes are most damaging to rapidly dividing cells such as those in the intestinal lining, bone marrow, hair and skin, and can cause severe gastrointestinal problems, skin problems, loss of immune and blood cells, hair loss, fatigue, and central nervous damage soon after exposure, depending on the severity. Children are at the highest risk because their cells divide more rapidly than adults.

Hope For The Best But Prepare To Protect Our HealthIt is our hope and prayer that an acute level of exposure, such as what happened with the Chernobyl meltdown, does not occur again in the world. But as Japans crisis has pointed out so gravely, we unfortunately live in a nuclear age and therefore need to be prepared to protect ourselves from the related risks if we are going to continue to use this volatile and dangerous source of energy.

As a doctor and researcher, I have always been deeply concerned about the health effects of living with nuclear energy. In fact, it was the tragedy of Chernobyl and the subsequent use of pectins to reduce radioactive levels in child victims of this disaster which prompted my original research into the use of modified citrus pectin to chelate radioactive particles and heavy metals. For more valuable health information, visit

iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software

No insurance for radiation exposure - Insurance - Life Annuities

Even as the threat of nuclear radiation disclosure becomes more real in light of the reduce in Japan's Fukushima Daiichi plant, MiD DAY has found that no insurance company in the country covers the specific outcomes of such an possibility.

'Nuclear radiation' is, in fact, a standard exclusion in the text of most policies.

A spokesperson for Tata-AIG Life Insurance Company said, "We do not have any products that cover radiation and I am sure no other insurance company does either." When this reporter asked him if any such policies were in the offing, he replied in the negative.

The Insurance Regulatory Development Authority (IRDA), too, does not have any specific guidelines for insurance companies on radiation-related cover.

S Bhattachraya, Senior Assistant Director, IRDA, said, "There is no specific head for radiation-related claims. In case of deaths due to radiation, the claimants' family is entitled only to a death claim and not an accidental death claim, which is usually higher."

A senior IRDA official, who did not wish to be named, said, "It is not advisable to have a separate head for radiation as the insurance companies may find it difficult to clear the claim amounts arising from radiation resulting from a nuclear attack."

"Nuclear radiation is a standard exclusion in most policy wordings. However, indirect results of radiation such as cancer, which may occur over a period of time could be covered under medical policies," said an official from ICICI Lombard.

So, doesn't the lack of insurance make those working in nuclear plants even more vulnerable? "No," says R R Kakade, general manager of corporate communication at Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), whose employees man the 20 nuclear plants in the country.

"We have insurance only for secondary cycle system like turbines and generators and radiation risk is not covered. Employees of NPCIL are, however, entitled to claims and benefits stated in the Atomic Energy Act," he said.

R Bhattacharya, secretary, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board said, "Our staff does not operate any nuclear place and, hence, are not exposed to radiation. When AERB officials visit a nuclear plant for inspection, they carry a thermo-luminescent dosimeter, which helps us monitor external Gamma radiation.

Source: [NDTV]

iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software

Treatment For Radiation Exposure and Contamination - Health - Alternative Medicine

Treatment For Radiation Exposure and Contamination

According to Dr. William R. Jackson, fulvic acid annihilates radiation!

At last... from Mother Nature, her most precious and best kept secret! Fulvic acid (fulvates) - called the "missing link" to optimum health and nutrition by leading scientists throughout the world. A health miracle so wonderful that medical studies show that fulvic acid has the ability to significantly change your life for the better. So safe, powerful and effective that medical doctors around the world have used it for thousands of years with amazing results. Scientists have discovered a missing link in our food chain, and can see that rapidly increasing degenerative diseases worldwide may be directly related to absence of this substance in the human diet. Now experts know that more than vitamins and minerals are required for health, this third nutritional element is equally important. This breakthrough discovery is supported by little-known and even secret medical research coming from top institutions around the world; medical schools, hospitals, clinics, and pharmaceuti cal labs. Treatment For Radiation Exposure and Contamination: The power of Fulvates to protect every organ, tissue & cell from radioactive exposure.

Taking fulvic acid- preferably in liquid/organic form has 1,000's of health benefits:

Provides over 77 Trace Minerals, naturally occurring in their ionic form for ultimate absorption. Detoxifies the body by eliminating heavy metals, radiation and additional toxins. Allows other Super-Foods, Vitamins, and Herbs to be absorbed and effectively utilized by the body. Provides increased energy, mental clarity, and sense of well being. Fulvates are the electrolyte that enables our cells to absorb nutrients and is a multi-directional antioxidant that cleanses the entire surface of the Earth of pollution, pesticides, and toxins of all kinds.

Thousands of scientific studies exist to prove it. Russian scientists used it to clean up the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster, including the soil, animals, and people exposed to the radiation. According to Dr. William R. Jackson, organic fulvic acid annihilates radiation! It is the best treatment for radiation exposure; Truly amazing stuff! Treatment For Radiation Exposure with Potassium Iodide does not compare to the protection from Fulvates. KI (potassium iodide) works by flooding the thyroid with non-radioactive Iodine which thereby prevents the uptake of the radioactive Iodine molecules. Potassium Iodide is great for protecting the thyroid from radioactive exposure BUT we are 1 human with much more to worry about than just one organ. People over 40 need to be careful when taking KI. Potassium Iodine also known as KI is NOT recommended as treatment for radiation exposure at this distance from the source. In fact, self-treatment with KI can be hazardous especially to pregnant or lactating women or individuals with kidney disease. Fulvic acid protects your entire body from radiation exposure! Fulvic acid appears to be "alive" with nature's own energy, and is intimately tied to the very spark of life. Fulvic acid is the World's most complex enzyme, and enzymes are described by scientists to be like living entities, having functioned and life-like qualities. Yet fulvates are more than just an enzyme, it is in essence the "milk" from Mother Nature... meant for giving life, energy, health,immunity, and renewal to the entire Earth, humans, plants, animals, and living organisms. Fulvates are seriously depleted from agricultural soils, crops, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, meats, and foods of all kinds, COMPLETELY lacking in the modern human diet. In 1992 UNICEF announced that world soil samples were 75% depleted of vitamins and minerals. To properly treat radiation exposure with fulvates you need to have organic fulvic acid. Fulvates not only c ontain rare-earth mineral elements in organic form, fulvic acids are enzymes and have a life-like functional quality. Being "organic" means the minerals are not "dead" mineral elements, but actually powerful bio-active life-like enzymes made up from very complex combinations of powerful phytochemicals. Research shows that these complex substances have amazing fountain-of-youth-like health properties. Historical medical use is ongoing and dates back hundreds and even thousands of years in remote regions of the Himalayas, China, and Russia, where people today still have the longest recorded life-spans. Treat Radiation Exposure with Spectramaxx - Just 3/4 of an ounce of SpectraMaxx organic fulvic acid a day can protect your entire body from radiation exposure and provide all the benefits listed above plus many more. Spectramaxx supplies you with 74 essential minerals, 40 antioxidants, Organic Fulvic Acid, Vitamin D, Vitamin B Complex and more. All bio-avialable in liquid form f or maximum absorption.

iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software

Radiation Exposure: What can I do? - News - Current Affairs

Experiencing the front line of a crisis is a terrifying experience, especially in the face of uncertainty and fear of the unknown. This point is especially well illustrated in Japans ongoing nuclear crisis. For over a week now, rescue workers in Japan have dealt with floods, fires, power outages, and infrastructure damage, all compounded with the threat of an escalating nuclear crisis. Radiation levels are at elevated levels for miles around the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear complex and scientists are scrambling to determine how much radiation has already been released into the environment. In the interest of providing a little peace of mind to security personnel across the globe whose line of work brings them into contact with critical situations, we have a few basic suggestions on how to avoid radiation risks.

The way the public views radiation has been shaped by some of the most horrific incidents in modern history: Chernobyl and Hiroshima. These extreme cases have influenced many to assume that radiation is an exotic and deadly phenomenon. In reality, our environment is steeped in radiation that our bodies absorb without any proven ill effect. The most important factor in understanding the impact of radiation is quantity how high radiation levels are and how these levels translate to risk.

Security personnel are key and assist as the first line of defense against these varying dangers of radiation. Organization is extremely important in crisis situations, and even just a few informed individuals can drastically change the outcome of a hazardous situation. Security personnel have to act quickly to mitigate and ascertain the amount of radiation in the environment. Two tools that are absolutely essential to security personnel in a radiation crisis are the dosimeter and radiation detector.

A dosimeter is a small badge worn on the body or a small handheld device used to measure how much radiation the person has been subjected to. Security personnel are often exposed to more radiation in their line of work, and must carefully monitor their dosimeters to tell them when they are approaching risk levels and must leave the danger area. To give some idea of safe radiation levels, natural background radiation the radiation that we are exposed to every day from cosmic rays and naturally-occurring radioactive materials is about 620 millirems per year in the United States. A coast-to-coast airplane trip will expose you to about 12 millirems, and a year of watching four hours of television per day adds up to about 2 millirems. These quantities are miniscule compared to a federal occupational limit of exposure at 5000 millirems per year. Children and pregnant women have much lower exposure levels, and very high levels of radiation can cause serious health risks in a sh ort time.

Radiation detectors are indispensable to security efforts because they allow personnel to find contaminated areas and people quickly. A common detector that has been used in the past is a Geiger-Mueller detector, or a Geiger counter. A Geiger counter is a very low cost detector, typically less than $500 USD, and provides very basic detection of large levels of radiation. However, they have significant limitations in a radiation crisis including limited to no detection of lower levels of radiation that can still be dangerous, as well as slower response time. One of the best detection technologies on the market is called a scintillation detector. These detectors, on average, are 100 times more sensitive than Geiger counter and respond more rapidly to radiation, usually within one second, and typically cost around $1,200 USD. The much greater sensitivity of scintillation detectors is important in situations like the Japanese nuclear crisis because the heightened environmental levels of radiation in the ocean near the complex (which are 127 times normal background levels) would not even show up on a typical Geiger counter. The information scintillation detectors gather from radiation can even be used to identify different radioactive isotopes. Devices such as the D-tect Systems mini rad-D (a personal handheld detector) and rad-ID (a handheld radiation detector and identifier) and regularly used by security personnel and individuals in such situations to detect and, where necessary, identify the types of radioactive materials a person has been exposed to.

The procedures outlined by government agencies are carefully adapted to each dangerous situation and should be strictly adhered to. These procedures aim to limit the spread of radiation and minimize risk to exposed areas. Although the specific instructions given out for each incident vary, here are a few general guidelines that should always be followed.

First, in case of radiation contamination, get people (including yourself) out of harms way as quickly as possible and notify authorities. Radiation spreads easily though blowing dust and smoke, so radiation-free secure zones must be established by sealing off areas from the outside environment by closing and weather-proofing doors and windows and placing food and water in well-insulated areas such as basements.

Second, since human skin generally acts a good barrier against low-level radiation, the biggest threat is breathing in radioactive materials or somehow ingesting them. Make sure to wear a face mask in areas that may be contaminated and wash hands regularly. If you suspect someone has been exposed to radioactive dust, the best solution is usually as simple as discarding contaminated clothing and washing with soap and water, as this will rid the body of radiation before it can cause damage. As an additional guard against significant amounts of radiation, potassium iodide tablets are sometimes given to protect to the thyroid gland.

Third, preparation is vital when it comes to any kind of disaster, and we recommend everyone keep an emergency kit close at hand so that they can be personally prepared in case of any crises. This kit should include such things as food and water for a few days, water filtration kit, emergency blanket, rain gear, batteries for radios and detectors, dust mask, extra clothing, flashlight, candles, waterproof matches, cooking utensils, necessary medications, and a first aid kit. Although we generally take these supplies for granted, shortages can occur quickly in crisis situations.

Although the current nuclear crisis is fraught with unanswered questions, appropriate preparation will enable you to minimize potential risks and provide you the ability to safely navigate through any crises, including potential radiation exposure.

iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software

Should People Take Potassium Iodide Pills to Protect Against Radiation Exposure? - Business - Industrial Mechanical

Radioactive leak in Japan has led to panic buying of iodine pills in neighboring countries such as Korea and the United States (Hawaii) which are believed to be able to prevent radiation exposure. Almost every time there is a threat of a radiation leak on the news, potassium iodide(PI) is usually mentioned as a treatment for exposure. But partly because of the lack of detailed explanations as to exactly what it does, many people may not understand its limits. Does PI really can protect people from radiation exposure?

If it happens leakage of nuclear radiation, radioactive iodine is released into the air and contaminate the local food supply. When these materials enter the body through breathing, eating or drinking, then this will lead to the condition called internal contamination.

When internal contamination occurs, the thyroid gland willquickly absorb the chemical. Radioactive iodine absorbed by the thyroid can damage the gland and can cause cancers of the thyroid cancer. Because nonradioactive KI acts to block radioactive iodine from being absorbed into the thyroid gland, it can help protect it against damage.

Will Potassium Iodide Supplements Protect People?Iodine supplements can potentially protect the thyroid gland from exposure to radioactive iodine, thyroid gland, but only it, and only if the supplement is taken before exposure. It does nothing to protect the rest of the body, and can not reverse thyroid damage against radiation once it has occurred.

Also, keep in mind that these supplements only offer limited protection against radioactive iodine. They are ineffective against other radioactive materials that may be present in the case of a nuclear release.In addition, KI also can not protect the body against other radioactive elements. So if not all radioactive iodine, KI would be ineffective to protect.

Administration and Side EffectsSupplements of PI in both tablets and liquid are usually taken once every 24 hours. And, while there are possible side effects, including the Centers for Disease Control lists on its website as "... may include intestinal, allergic reactions (possibly severe), rashes and inflammation of the salivary glands," these are usually offset by the potential benefits of taking the supplement during a nuclear crisis.

Although these supplements are not recommended for everyone. If you live in an area where the potential exists for exposure to radiation and are concerned, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to determine whether supplements of potassium iodide are good for you. And these supplements are available over the counter so no prescription is needed.

Do People Really Need These Supplements? Nuclear accidents are rare, only happens a few times since the technology was put into service. The most notable of these are probably the collapse of Three Mile Island meltdown in 1979 and Chernobyl in 1986, both of which are shown below.

But just because these accidents are rare, this does not mean they can never occur. Ultimately, whether or not you choose to have these supplements of potassium iodide on hand is up to you.

Chu li is the freelance writer for e-commerce website in the chemistry. Guidechem.com is just a place for you to look for some chemicals! Our guidechem provide the most convenient conditions for the international buyers and let these leads benefit all the business people.

iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software