Nuclear radiation leakage can have serious health effects, depending on the type, dose, duration of exposure, and proximity to the source. Here’s a breakdown of the possible health effects:
🔴 Short-Term (Acute) Effects
These occur when a person is exposed to a high dose of radiation in a short time (known as acute radiation syndrome – ARS):
Symptoms (can appear within minutes to hours):
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue and weakness
- Skin burns or redness
- Hair loss
- Diarrhea
- Decreased white blood cell count (weakened immune system)
Severe cases can lead to:
- Internal bleeding
- Organ failure
- Death (especially at very high doses)
🟠 Long-Term Effects
Even low doses over a long time (chronic exposure) can be harmful:
1. Cancer
Radiation increases the risk of cancers, especially:
- Thyroid cancer
- Leukemia
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
2. Genetic Mutations
- Can cause mutations in reproductive cells, potentially leading to birth defects in offspring.
3. Cataracts
- Radiation exposure can lead to clouding of the lens of the eye over time.
4. Cardiovascular Disease
- Increased risk of heart disease due to damage to blood vessels.
🟢 Radiation Sensitivity by Age
- Children and unborn babies are more vulnerable due to faster cell division.
- Pregnant women are at high risk because radiation can harm fetal development.
☢️ Examples of Incidents
- Chernobyl (1986): Thousands exposed; significant increase in thyroid cancer among children.
- Fukushima (2011): Lower health impact than Chernobyl due to faster evacuation and lower released dose, but long-term studies are ongoing.
🛡️ Protection Measures
- Distance: Stay as far as possible from the source.
- Shielding: Use lead, concrete, or other dense materials.
- Time: Minimize time spent near radiation.
- Evacuation & iodine pills (in nuclear reactor incidents) can reduce thyroid uptake of radioactive iodine
