If you work in an environment that has high levels of radiation you are under the risk of radiation sickness. Although this type of work related illness is unusual, the effects that a nuclear accident can have are devastating. The chance of survival for people with radiation poisoning decreases with increasing doses of exposure. The cause of death in most cases is the destruction of the bone marrow, which results in infections and internal bleeding.
? Nausea
? Vomiting
? Diahorrea
? Fatigue
These are the initial symptoms that you will be suffering from after coming into contact with radiation. These symptoms can then develop further can result in:
? Headaches
? Shortness of breath
? Fast, increased heartbeat
? Inflammation of the mouth/throat
? Worsening of tooth/gum disease
? Hair loss
? Dry cough
? Burning
? Heart inflammation/chest pain
? Skin darkening
? Bleeding spots under the skin
? Haemorrhage
? Anaemia
Natural background radiation causes only low levels of damage which can be repaired by the body. However, when the body is exposed to unnaturally high levels of radiation the damage is overwhelming meaning the body cannot fight it.
Radiation penetrates the body and is wholly/partially absorbed by soft/hard tissue. Radiation fallout results in radiation also being swallowed and breathed in. Symptoms of Radiation sickness usually take 10 to 15 years to show but in very extreme and rare cases death may occur within two or four weeks.
Radiation sickness interferes with cell division and has a devastating effect to your immune system and body tissue. As well as this it also damages the body's genes, which mean's future generations may be born with birth defects and you may also develop cancer later in life.
It has been proved that nuclear disaster causes cancer. In the Chernobyl disaster there was a massive increase in thyroid cancer in three countries; Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, the three most badly effected areas. There are two basic types of radiation:
? Nonionizing radiation comes in the form of light, radio waves, microwaves and radar. This kind of radiation usually does not cause tissue damage.
? Ionizing radiation is radiation that produces immediate chemical effects on human tissue. X-rays, gamma rays, and particle bombardment (neutron beam, electron beam, protons, mesons, and others) give off ionizing radiation. This type of radiation can be used for medical testing and treatment, industrial and manufacturing purposes, weapons and weapons development.
One thing that is unclear to a lot of people is whether contamination can be spread. The answer to this is yes it can. If you have been in contact with radiation you could contaminate any other people or surfaces that you come into contact with. For example if you have radioactive dust on your clothing you could spread this dust when you sit on a chair or touch another person. Also people who have been penetrated by waves of radiation can spread it through body fluid such as blood, sweat and urine.
Radiation sickness can leave you permantly emotionally and mentally scarred. You could be left out of work and your future generations may also feel the burden of radiation sickness through genetic mutation.
If you have suffered as a result of radiation sickness you could be entitled to compensation. It is advised that you speak to a lawyer who is an expert in personal injury no win no fee claims as they will be able to assess your case and guide you through the compensation claim.
Helen Cox is the web master for Accident Consult; personal injury experts in Radiation Claims
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