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Next: Sources of Radiation Up: How Bad is How Much of What, and Previous: Units

Effects

All of these units are meaningless until one has some idea of how bad one of them is for you. Here are some rules of thumb that may be off by factors of two from one case to the next:

Before we go on to discuss sources of radiation, it is important to note that different organs or body parts have dramatically different resistance to radiation. The hands, in particular, are able to withstand radiation doses that would kill if the whole body were subjected to them! The lens of the eye and the gonads are considered to be the most vulnerable and should be protected first.
next up previous
Next: Sources of Radiation Up: How Bad is How Much of What, and Previous: Units
Jess H. Brewer
1999-11-05