According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radiation is energy traveling in the form of waves or high-speed particles. It is present all around us and comes from the ground, within our bodies and from outer space. Nuclear power plants, medical diagnostic techniques such as x-rays and medical treatments such as radiation therapy for cancer are all forms of man-made use of radiation. According to MedlinePlus, exposure to radiation, whether long-term or short-term, has negative effects on the human body and can cause cancer, mutation and radiation sickness.
Cancer
According to MedlinePlus, cancer is one of the effects that radiation can have on the human body. MedlinePlus says that the body continuously forms new cells as they're needed and replaces old cells as they die. However, sometimes this process is disturbed and new cells grow when they are not required and old cells don't die when they actually should. These extra cells begin forming tumors, which can be cancerous. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radiation can cause damage at the cellular and molecular level, causing uncontrolled growth of cells or cancer.
Mutation
According to MedlinePlus, mutation is another effect of radiation on the human body. Mutation is a permanent change in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequence of a gene. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radiation can cause changes in the DNA, which is responsible for repairing cells and replacing a copy of the original cells. When the body is not able to repair these mutations, they can become teratogenic or genetic. Genetic mutations occur when the fetus in the uterus is exposed, and these genetic mutations can be passed on to children.
Radiation Sickness
MedlinePlus says that exposure to high levels of radiation for a short period of time can cause radiation sickness. MayoClinic.com says that early symptoms of radiation sickness include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, headache and fever. Symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, dizziness, disorientation, hair loss, low blood pressure and bloody vomit and stools may also develop later. MedlinePlus says that continued exposure can also cause premature aging and death.
