ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to identify the short-term effects of radiation and the long-term effects of radiation—carcinogenic, cataractogenic, and genetic. Cellular damage at the point of initial radiation interaction usually involves only a very small percentage of total number of molecules in the cell. In the diagnostic range of ionizing radiation, including image intensification, there is a very small probability of an individual receiving an acute biological effect. Long-term effects of radiation exposure are those that may manifest years after the original exposure. More importantly, biological damage that may result in subtle alterations in phenomena like cessation of cell division, as learning patterns and development may have a considerable latent period before manifestation. Delayed radiation effects may result from previous acute, high-dose exposures or from chronic low-level exposure over a period of years. The precursor cells of mature gametes or the mature gametes themselves are susceptible to nuclear damage/genetic mutations from ionizing radiation.
