Health Risks of Ionizing Radiation: - Clark University
Health Risks of Ionizing Radiation: - Clark University
Health Risks of Ionizing Radiation: - Clark University
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Glossary 199<br />
Beta radiation: Streams <strong>of</strong> beta particles are known as beta ray or beta radiation. Beta rays may cause<br />
skin burns and are harmful within the body. A thin sheet <strong>of</strong> metal can afford protection to the skin.<br />
Biokinetic Models: A method used for measuring radiation dose effects by describing the deposition<br />
and movement <strong>of</strong> material throughout the body. It is derived from biokinetics, the study <strong>of</strong> growth<br />
changes and movements in developing organs. This is valuable to radiation risk studies as it<br />
incorporates the unique responses <strong>of</strong> individuals with different physiological properties and metabolic<br />
processes.<br />
Biological Effects <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ionizing</strong> <strong>Radiation</strong> (BEIR): A committee put together by the National Research<br />
Council, USA to study the effects <strong>of</strong> radiation to evaluate risk and create safety standards.<br />
Birth Defect: A physiological or structural abnormality that develops at or before birth and is present<br />
at the time <strong>of</strong> birth, especially as a result <strong>of</strong> faulty development, infection, heredity, or injury. Also<br />
called congenital anomaly.<br />
Bystander Effects: The response <strong>of</strong> cells that are not directly traversed by radiation but respond with<br />
gene induction and production <strong>of</strong> potential genetic and carcinogenic changes. In short, cells not<br />
directly exposed to radiation may still be affected adversely.<br />
Cancer: Malignant neoplasia marked by the uncontrolled growth <strong>of</strong> cells, <strong>of</strong>ten with invasion <strong>of</strong> healthy<br />
tissues locally or throughout the body.<br />
Case Report/Case Survey: Report <strong>of</strong> a single case <strong>of</strong> a disease.<br />
Case-Control Study: A case-control study is a method <strong>of</strong> studying the relative risks <strong>of</strong> having or<br />
developing a disease or condition. In this study methodology, the exposure experience <strong>of</strong> cases<br />
(persons with the condition) is compared to that for controls (persons without the condition). Casecontrol<br />
studies are efficient designs for estimating the relative risks <strong>of</strong> developing disease (including<br />
controlling for other factors, such as age or sex), but they generally are not used for measuring the<br />
prevalence or incidence <strong>of</strong> conditions.<br />
Central Nervous System (CNS): The brain and spinal cord.<br />
Cerebral Angiography: A radiology procedure using x-ray and opaque dye that helps identify<br />
abnormalities <strong>of</strong> the blood vessels within the brain.<br />
Chromosome aberrations: An abnormality in chromosomes regarding their number or material.<br />
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL): A malignancy in which abnormal lymphocytes (a white blood<br />
cell responsible for much <strong>of</strong> the body’s immune protection), usually B cells, proliferate and infiltrate<br />
body tissues, <strong>of</strong>ten causing lymph node enlargement and immune dysfunction.<br />
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML): A hematological malignancy marked by a sustained increase<br />
in the number <strong>of</strong> granulocytes (a large glanular white blood cell), splenic enlargement, and a specific<br />
cytogenetic anomaly (<strong>of</strong> abnormal cell structure or function) in the bone marrow.<br />
Circadian Rhythm: Diverse yet predictable changes in physiological variables, including sleep, appetite,<br />
temperature, and hormone secretion, over a 24-hour period.