In this article we will explore some of the many types of radiation, including the major distinction of ionizing radiation versus non-ionizing radiation. In the area of non-ionizing radiation we will look at some of the more common examples of this type of radiation. Most of the information provided in this series of articles will center on non-ionizing radiation.
Ionizing Radiation: This type of radiation creates ions. It creates ions in the materials that it impinges upon. Ionizing radiation either adds electrons or steals electrons from the basic atoms that make up a material. If an atom has gained or lost electrons from its natural state, its natural balance, then it is called an ion. In general, when we speak of living systems (plants and animals), ionization is undesirable – quite undesirable. It usually is not a safe type of radiation. Examples of ionizing radiation are: Beta radiation (a stream of electrons), x-rays ( a stream of photons within a specific photon energy band, Gamma rays (similar to x-rays but a higher photon energy band).
When you visit a medical practitioner and have x-rays taken of some portion of your body, you will notice that the x-ray technician will often provide some sort of radiation protection to the parts of your body that are not being “photographed” by the x-ray machine. They are seeking to protect your health. These radiation accessories, such as a leaded apron or blanket reduce the danger from radiation.
Non-ionizing Radiation: Non-ionizing radiation can be static or dynamic. Static simply means that it is not changing. Dynamic means that it is changing, and this “changing” is usually at some frequency of change. In a previous article we introduced electric fields and magnetic fields. If you have an electric charge on your body from walking across a wool carpet when the humidity is low, you will have a static electric charge on your body, and the influence that is radiating from your body from this charge is a “static electric field”. If you have a simple bar magnet, the influence that is radiating from it is a “static magnetic field”.
While the above are common examples of static fields, it is the dynamic or changing fields that are much more prevalent in our modern technological world. As mentioned earlier, changing fields have a frequency associated with them. This is a measure of how quickly they change.
There is a phenomenon in nature with dynamic electric fields and dynamic magnetic fields. This phenomenon is that one of these fields actually creates the other one, as well. If there is a dynamic electric field radiating from some device, then that dynamic electric field is creating a dynamic magnetic field. You may have heard of the term, electromagnetic radiation (EMR) or electromagnetic field (EMF). This is a field that is precisely what we have just discussed. It is an electric field that creates a magnetic field, which in turn creates another electric field, and so on.. Just a reminder here, EMR is non-ionizing radiation.
Radio waves are the most common occurrence of EMR. The term “Radio Waves”, most often referred to as Radio Frequencies (RF), simply refers to the “use” of EMR to convey some information or to detect the presence of something. There are countless intentional and unintentional sources of RF. Examples of RF where these EMR is carrying information include: AM & FM broadcast stations, two-way radios and walkie-talkies of all types, microwave telephone system transmission, broadcast television, wireless Internet, wireless headsets, cell phones, cell phone accessories, PCS phones, wireless phones, cordless phones, wireless computer peripherals such as Blue Tooth, and a host of others. Examples of RF where this EMR is detecting the presence of something or measuring something include: military, industrial and commercial radar, police radar, and others. The foregoing are all classified as “intention emitters. This means that their purpose is to radiation into some area or space.
There are also unintentional emitters. The most common example of this is microwave ovens that use a high power microwave RF to heat/cook food. As long as these ovens are properly maintained then any radiation danger associated with them is contained and as far as radiation goes they can be certified as safe. As an aside, there are accessories (instruments) that can be used to test the radiation of a microwave oven to determine its strength, specifically the radiation that is escaping from the unit and thereby possibly posing a radiation danger.
In the next article in this series, we will explore in a more detailed way, the arena of microwaves, and the cell phones, wireless Internet/wireless LAN (local area network) devices since they have been a safety and health issue for a growing number of people. There is a perception that there is cell phone danger, wireless LAN danger, and danger from wireless accessories in general. These articles are intended to provide a theoretical and practical basis to making decisions in regards to these safety issues.
For more articles on radiation, fields and cell phone and accessory effects, please visit http://www.rfreduce.com/blog/static.php?page=article_magnetic_fields2 The above site also has detailed information on the Noble1 cell phone radiation reduction device that has been tested in our microwave laboratory with more than 90% reduction of radiation to the head of a person using a cell phone.
Author: Robert Palma
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Bumper guardian
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