6 Things to Understand About Gamma Radiation

There are many nuclear weapons worldwide, and nuclear war can start anytime. The radiations caused by these weapons spread far and wide, and one must be ready to protect themselves from them at all times. Another major source of this radiation is the nuclear power plants and other nuclear applications that cause harmful radiation. This article will discuss 6 different things you must understand about gamma radiation and how you can protect yourself from radiation.

1. Gamma rays are the most powerful and energetic type of radiation. They are formed in the heart of exploding stars and from the decay of radioactive atoms. They are so powerful that they can easily pierce through metals and concrete. This makes them one of the world’s most dangerous types of radiation.
2. Gamma radiation can harm the body, but it can be a blessing if used correctly. Recently gamma rays have been used by doctors to destroy brain cancer cells. A gamma rays knife was used by doctors to perform this task. It consists of several gamma rays focused on a single point with radiations strong enough to kill the cancerous cells. But the beam is so focused that a very insignificant amount of healthy brain cells is damaged.
3. Fission reaction happens in nuclear power plants and in nuclear warheads. This is one of the major sources of gamma radiation in the world. If we consider the risks involving a meltdown accident at any nuclear power plant, gamma radiation’s effects will be deadly and widespread. This should be considered by everyone and especially people living in areas closer to nuclear power plants.
4. One of the most dangerous things about gamma rays is that they are highly penetrating and ionizing. This means that from any material they pass through, they can create charged radicals. Gamma rays passing through the human body can easily cause genetic mutation and damage the body’s cellular mechanism. If the body is exposed to large gamma radiation doses, it can even cause radiation poisoning and kill the body’s cells. Genetic and DNA mutation can cause many problems for humans and future generations. This is why you must know how you can protect yourself from radiation.
5. Time and distance are the two most important things to save yourself from the dangers of radiation. For people who are expected to be exposed to gamma radiation, such as nuclear power plant workers, the time of exposure and length of the radioactive material must be maintained to avoid any adverse effect on the worker’s body.
6. Shielding is another important factor that can help minimize gamma radiation’s dangers. If the radiations are penetrating, such as gamma rays or X rays, lead, concrete, or water shields are normally used to contain the radiations. The radioactive material is kept in these containers, ensuring that no radiation leaks out and becomes harmful to the people working in the plant or the general public.