GAMMA RADIATION

1. Define gamma radiation

- Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation (EMR). They are the similar to X-rays, distinguished
only by the fact that they are emitted from an excited nucleus.

- The gamma rays on earth are produced by emissions caused due to :

 lightning,
 nuclear explosion,
 radioactive decay.

Nuclear reactions like fission, fusion, gamma decay and alpha decay also emit gamma rays

2.

Gamma rays have the smallest wavelengths and the most energy of any wave in the electromagnetic
spectrum. They are produced by the hottest and most energetic objects in the universe, such as neutron
stars and pulsars, supernova explosions, and regions around black
holes.

 It has the smallest wavelengths in the electromagnetic

spectrum
 It has the most energy of any waves in the
electromagnetic spectrum
 It has the highest frequency in the electromagnetic
spectrum

3.Are there human health risk from exposure to gamma radation?

- The extremely high energy of gamma rays allows them to penetrate just about anything. They can even
pass through bones and teeth. This makes gamma rays very dangerous

 Main risk:
- They can destroy living cells, produce gene mutations, and cause cancer.

 Common sources of exposure:

Natural background radiation from cosmic rays from outer space and from radioactive elements
normally in rocks and soil. This is the major contributor to worldwide radiation exposure.
Medical radiation used for imaging tests such as x-rays, CT scans, and PET scans, as well as for
radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is used to treat some types of cancer, and it generally uses
doses much higher than those used in imaging tests.
Non-medical, man-made radiation exposure can happen in certain workplaces, or in
communities as a result of above ground nuclear weapons testing or nuclear accidents.
Radiation is also used in small amounts in some consumer products, as well as in food
irradiation.
  Technology, device, or behavior that can be used for protection, or to decrease
exposure.
Too much radiation exposure can be harmful. The degree of radiation injury depends on the
amount of energy absorbed, the type of radiation, and the time involved. In general, the higher
the energy absorbed, the greater the severity of early effects and the greater the possibility of
late effects such as cancer.
The amount of radiation dose a person receives can be limited through three principles: time,
distance, and shielding.
Time
Dose rate is the rate at which the radiation is absorbed. Therefore, limiting the time of radiation
exposure will reduce your radiation dose.
Distance
Like light and heat, ionizing radiation spreads out as you get farther from the source. Increasing
the distance between you and the radiation source you will reduce exposure by the square of
the distance. Doubling the distance between your body and the radiation source will divide the
radiation exposure by a factor of four.
Shielding
Lead or lead equivalent shielding for X-rays and gamma rays is an effective way to reduce
radiation exposure. There are various types of shielding used in the reduction of radiation
exposure including lead aprons, mobile lead shields, lead glasses, and lead barriers.

4. describe how gamma radiation may be used to treat cancer.

- Radiotherapy is the use of high-energy ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays, to kill cancer cells. The
radiation dose may come from a radioactive source in a machine outside the
body, which directs a beam of radiation at the cancer cells. Healthy cells can
also be affected by the radiation applied to the body.

Gamma radiotherapy using a "cobalt bomb", radioactive cobalt-60 being the

most common source of gamma radiation. The cobalt source is housed in the
large treatment head, and gamma radiation is released through a shutter
when the machine is in operation.

The gamma rays are aimed at the tumor from many different angles at once,
and deliver a large dose of radiation exactly to the tumor in one treatment
session. This procedure is a type of stereotactic radiosurgery.

 steps to reduce the effects on healthy tissue include:

 splitting the radiation dose into a number of treatments;
 rotating the beam of radiation so that healthy cells receive a lower
dose than the cancer cells.