Radiation 101: Dangers, Myths and More
Radiation 101: Dangers, Myths and More
As radiation dangers related to Japan’s damaged Fukushima power plant continue to make national headlines, many people are still wondering exactly what radiation is – and how exposure to it, in high doses, can harm human health.
To get straight answers, we tapped radiation biologist Dr. Jacqueline Williams for a brief physics lesson. In the clip below, she explains what “ionizing radiation” is, how it occurs, and what threat it poses to humans (on a cellular level). She also clarifies a couple key misconceptions related to Fukushima – and to radiation in general.
To learn more, watch the clip below.
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Last year, Dr. Williams was named chair of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute’s Scientific Advisory Committee for its Center of Acute Radiation Research. She is also grant director and core leader of the Center for Biophysical Assessment and Risk Management Following Irradiation at URMC.
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* The above story is adapted from materials provided by University of Rochester Medical Center
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