Effects of Radiation on the Human Body

Click on a number to learn about the effects of radiation on the body

(1) Hair

The losing of hair quickly and in clumps occurs with radiation exposure at 

200 rems or higher.

(2) Brain

Since brain cells do not reproduce, they won't be damaged directly 

unless the exposure is 5,000 rems or greater. Like the heart, radiation 

kills nerve cells and small blood vessels, and can cause seizures and i

mmediate death.

(3) Thyroid

The certain body parts are more specifically affected by exposure

 to different types of radiation sources. The thyroid gland is 

susceptible to radioactive iodine. In sufficient amounts, radioactive 

iodine can destroy all or part of the thyroid. By taking potassium iodide, 

one can reduce the effects of exposure.

(4) Blood System

When a person is exposed to around 100 rems, the blood's

 lymphocyte cell count will be reduced, leaving the victim more 

susceptible to infection. This is often refered to as mild radiation 

sickness. Early symptoms of radiation sickness mimic those of flu

 and may go unnoticed unless a blood count is done.According to 

data from Hiroshima and Nagaski, show that symptoms may persist 

for up to 10 years and may also have an increased long-term risk 

for leukemia and lymphoma.

(5) Heart

Intense exposure to radioactive material at 1,000 to 5,000 rems 

would do immediate damage to small blood vessels and probably

 cause heart failure and death directly.

(6) Gastrointestinal Tract

Radiation damage to the intestinal tract lining will cause nausea,

 bloody vomiting and diarrhea. This is occurs when the victim's 

exposure is 200 rems or more. The radiation will begin to destroy

 the cells in the body that divide rapidly. These including blood, GI 

tract, reproductive and hair cells, and harms their DNA and RNA of

 surviving cells.

(7) Reproductive Tract

Because reproductive tract cells divide rapidly, these areas of the

 body can be damaged at rem levels as low as 200. Long-term, 

some radiation sickness victims will become sterile.

http://www.atomicarchive.com/Effects/radeffects.shtml

Related Reading

The Effects of Nuclear War (pdf 3.3 Mb)

Related Sections

Glossary

Levels of Radiation on the Human Body