Radiation Emergencies: MedlinePlus

Radiation Emergencies

URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/radiationemergencies.html

Radiation is a type of energy. People are exposed to small amounts of radiation every day from sources such as sunlight. A radiation emergency would involve larger amounts of radiation and could be caused by

Dirty bombs - a mix of explosives with radioactive powder
Fallout from a nuclear bomb
Accidental release from a nuclear reactor or a nuclear weapons plant

A lot of radiation over a short period can cause burns or radiation sickness. If the exposure is large enough, it can cause premature aging or even death.

Although there are no guarantees of safety during a radiation emergency, you can take actions to protect yourself. You should have a disaster plan. Being prepared can help reduce fear, anxiety and losses.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


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Radiation Emergencies: MedlinePlus


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