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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Dosimetry: Measurement or estimation <strong>of</strong> doses.<br />
Dosimeter: A device for measuring x-ray output.<br />
Glossary 201<br />
Doubling Dose: Amount <strong>of</strong> radiation needed to double the natural incidence <strong>of</strong> a genetic or somatic<br />
abnormality.<br />
Ecologic Studies: Descriptive studies that compare disease incidence between populations based on<br />
public records and so do not use case specific data.<br />
Epidemiology: The study <strong>of</strong> the distribution and determinants <strong>of</strong> health-related states and events in<br />
populations, and the application <strong>of</strong> this study for managing health problems.<br />
Excess Absolute Risk: The excess number <strong>of</strong> cases induced by one (EAR) unit exposure, in addition to<br />
the spontaneous number <strong>of</strong> cases. EAR is usually expressed as number <strong>of</strong> cases per year per 10 000<br />
persons exposed to a dose <strong>of</strong> 1 Gy.<br />
Excess Relative Risk (ERR): The fraction by which the risk for an exposed person exceeds that <strong>of</strong> a<br />
person who was not exposed. An excess relative risk <strong>of</strong> 1 means the person’s risk is double that <strong>of</strong> an<br />
unexposed person. ERR = Relative Risk – 1.<br />
Extrapolate: To apply data learned about one range <strong>of</strong> doses to another range <strong>of</strong> doses.<br />
Follicular Tumors: Tumors <strong>of</strong> or relating to follicles.<br />
Fractionated exposure: Exposure to radiation that occurs in several small acute exposures, rather than<br />
continuously as in a chronic exposure.<br />
Free Radical: A molecule with an unpaired electron. Because they have a free electron, such molecules<br />
are highly reactive.<br />
Gamma <strong>Radiation</strong>: High-energy, short wavelength, electromagnetic radiation emitted from the nucleus.<br />
Gamma radiation frequently accompanies alpha and beta emissions and always accompanies fission.<br />
Gamma rays are very penetrating and are best stopped or shielded by dense materials, such as lead or<br />
depleted uranium. Gamma rays are similar to x-rays.<br />
Gamma Ray: Gamma rays are electromagnetic waves or photons emitted from the nucleus (center) <strong>of</strong><br />
an atom.<br />
Gardner Hypothesis: A hypothesis that says that childhood leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma can<br />
be caused by paternal exposure to ionizing radiation before the conception <strong>of</strong> the child.<br />
Germline Mutation: A mutation in the genetic content <strong>of</strong> a sperm or egg.<br />
Goiter: Thyroid gland enlargement. An enlarged thyroid gland may be caused by thyroiditis, benign<br />
thyroid nodules, malignancy, iodine deficiency, or any condition that causes hyperfunction or<br />
hyp<strong>of</strong>unction <strong>of</strong> the gland.<br />
Graves’ disease: A distinct type <strong>of</strong> hyperthyroidism caused by an autoimmune attack on the thyroid<br />
gland. It typically produces enlargement <strong>of</strong> the thyroid gland and also may cause ocular findings.