Biologic Effects of Radiation #2

This multi-part  series of articles will focus on radiation and biological effects. We'll cover the basics of radiation as well as the phases and syndromes associated with radiation exposure. In part one of this series we provided an overview of radiation sources, measurement, and an introduction to the biologic effects.  In part two of Biologic Effects of Radiation, we'll look at biological effects, acute radiation sickness and associated symptoms and syndromes.

Part Two: The Biologic Effects of Radiation

The biological effects of radiation are dependent upon the type of exposure a person actually has. Simply stated, the duration of the exposure as well as the intensity of the material play a role. We also have to include the role of personal protection such as Time, Distance, Shielding and its effectiveness.

Biologic effects can be categorized generically as acute or chronic. Acute exposure may be for a very short period of time to a higher level radiation source while chronic exposure can either be in extended exposure to low-level source or repetitive exposures to a variety of sources of radiation.
One variable that we have to account for his individual biological differences. Each person is different and will respond differently to radiation exposure… unless it is an extremely high-level of exposure.

In general, radiation causes three major problems in our bodies.

• Radiation can damage DNA and other cellular structures
• Radiation exposure results in cell death… immediately or shortly after exposure
• Radiation exposure results in incorrect cellular repair and mutations that can cause cancer and other disease

 As I mentioned earlier, there are biologic factors that are unique to each individual. The effects of radiation on each person differs in their biologic response to any given dose of radiation. The factors that influence radiological impact on the body include:

• age- Younger patients and those with a higher metabolism and cell turnover rate are more susceptible.
• sex
• diet
• body temperature and overall health

Acute radiation sickness can occur when an individual is exposed to a large amount of radiation in a short period of time… that is, an acute exposure. This level of exposure may be defined that radiation doses greater than 100 REM which is equivalent to 100 RAD for gamma ray exposure. The signs and symptoms of acute radiation sickness vary by the dose received and by the unique biologic factors of each individual. Symptoms can be as subtle as “flu-like” symptoms or as dramatic as rapid changes in blood cells. In general acute radiation sickness generates the following:

• nonspecific (flu-like symptoms)
• hair loss
• fever
• skin irritation
• vascular changes
• blood cell changes

While the initial symptoms may seem minor such as with G.I. upset, it should be noted that the sooner a person vomits or loses consciousness after cute exposure, indicates severe exposure in the potential for poor outcome. Generally speaking the severity and course of treatment depend on how much total doses been received as well as how much of the body has been exposed. Again, individual susceptibility to radiation has to be taken into account as a variable. Acute radiation sickness is not an all-or-nothing proposition. The symptoms may appear shortly after exposure only to disappear after a few days. Symptoms may also reappear in a much more severe illness later on.

Acute radiation sickness has four phases and may manifest with four separate syndromes.
The four phases of acute radiation sickness are:

• prodromal phase
• latent phase
• manifest phase (sometimes called the period of illness)
• and recovery or death

The four syndromes of acute radiation sickness  are:

• Hematopoietic Syndrome
• gastrointestinal syndrome
• cardiovascular syndrome
• and central nervous system syndrome

 In part three of Biologic Effects of Radiation, we'll take a look in detail at the phases and syndromes of acute radiation sickness.

Links and References

You'll also find these links and references useful. I've used them, in part and along with references, to put this series together. Again, the complete bibliography will be posted along with the final installment of the series. 


Radiation Injury Treatment Network


Radiation Emergency Medical Treatment (from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)


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