Page 12 - Professorial Lecture - Prof Oyedele

Typical examples of unstable or radioactive atoms that are emitting ionizing
radiation are cobalt-60, cesium-137 and uranium-238. As you may know,
Namibia is the fourth largest exporter of uranium in the world. So, there is a
lot of uranium in Namibia.

3. THREATS OF IONIZING RADIATION

3.1 HEALTH RISK

Ionizing radiation can affect the atoms in living things, so ionizing radiation
poses a health risk. Ionizing radiation can damage living tissue by changing
cell structure and damaging DNA (Shapiro, 2002; Cember, 2008; Turner,
2012). Of course, the amount of damage depends on the type, energy and
amount of radiation absorbed. Radiation also can kill cells and thereby
cause cancer.

If ionizing radiation causes damage to genetic material in reproductive
cells, it can cause genetic mutations, which could be passed on to future
generations. In fact, the risk of birth defects is increased when a developing
embryo or fetus is exposed to ionizing radiation.

Ionizing radiation is a major hazard to all biological systems, hence the
general concern. This concern is borne out of the fact that ionizing radiation
released (without control) is more destructive than hurricane or an
earthquake, and its passage is only known by the devastating irreversible
effects left behind in its wake.

3.2 PICTURES OF RADIATION DAMAGE

Let us look at some pictures of the damages caused by exposure to a
large amount or high dose of ionizing radiation.