Radiation: Good or Bad?

When we first hear the word “radiation”, we generally think of something that will harm us. But is that always true?

Radiation is made of particles that are released when an unstable atom breaks apart. There are 3 types of radiation: -Alpha radiation is made of positively charged particles that come from heavy elements, like uranium or radium. This is why alpha particles are very heavy and can only travel over very short distances. It is the least harmful type of radiation; you can block it with a sheet of paper. -Beta radiation is made of positively or negatively charged particles that are released during the process of breaking down an atom. They are lighter than alpha particles, so they travel farther and faster. You can block them with several inches of water. -Gamma radiation is made of rays that are similar to X-rays and radio waves. Gamma rays are very short and can pass right through a human body but stopped but a thick wall of lead or concrete.

The biggest myth that comes to mind when we think about radiation is that it is always bad for you. However, this is not entirely true. Our body is advanced enough to handle radiation in small amounts. Of course, it damages human tissues, which can lead to mutations and cancer, but it all comes down to the dosage. For example, when you have a medical X-ray or stand next to the microwave in your kitchen, you get a small dosage of radiation - but you feel fine after. The truth is, we are always surrounded by natural sources of radiation in the soil, stones, the air we breathe, of course, and the sun. We are also exposed to some radioactive elements through food and water. Additionally, we even have some radioactive elements in our blood and bones, such as potassium-40, carbon-14, and radium-226.

I hope this information helped you understand how radiation works and that you should not be afraid of it in your everyday life!

Picture Source: nasa.gov