TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Toxic Effects of Radiation and Radioactive Materials A1 - Hoel, David G. A2 - Klaassen, Curtis D. PY - 2019 T2 - Casarett & Doull’s Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons, 9th edition AB - Ionizing radiations such as gamma-rays and x-rays are radiations that have sufficient energy to displace electrons from molecules. These freed electrons then have the capability of damaging other molecules and, in particular, DNA. Thus, the potential health effects of low levels of radiation are important to understand in order to be able to quantify their effects. For example, it has been estimated that 10% of lung cancers are attributable to radon exposures. In recent years the amount of radiation that the public receives has greatly increased due to medical applications, especially the higher doses associated with computed tomography (CT) scans. Currently 50% of radiation exposures are from medical, 48% from environmental (primarily radon), and 2% from consumer products. The average yearly total effective exposure to individuals is 6.2 mSv. For an extensive analysis, the reader is referred to National Council on Radiation Protection (NCRP) Report 160 (NCRP, 2009). Fig. 25-1 taken from the report gives a summary breakdown of exposure sources. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/29 UR - accessbiomedicalscience.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1158502562 ER -