Radiation Related Biological Effects of Nuclear Reactor Accidents on Human Body

[Name of the institute]

Abstract

The paper discusses the effects of the ionization and the nuclear reactor accidents on the human body. The nuclear reactor accidents are the events that generate the radiation harmful to the human health. The effects of these incidents are many which do not only damage the human cells but also have the tendency to make the person disable for a lifetime. One of these incidents was the incident of Chernobyl power plant in the Soviet Union. The after effects of the accidents like these are the nausea, disorders in the digestive system, nervous system, endocrine system and the skin diseases.

Table of Contents

Introduction4

A Nuclear Reactor Accident5

Ionizing Radiation6

Average Ionization Dose6

Radiation Effects on Human Body7

Blood and Bone Marrow9

Lymphatic System9

Digestive System9

Genital Organs9

Nervous System10

Thyroid and Endocrine System10

Ionizing Radiation10

Atmospheric Testing of Nuclear Weapons12

Power Generation12

Industrial Radiation13

Ionizing Properties13

Cellular Dynamics15

Independent Redundant Subsystems18

Safety Approaches20

Summary and Conclusion22

References24

Radiation Related Biological Effects of Nuclear Reactor Accidents on Human Body

Introduction

The paper discusses ionization and the biological effects of the nuclear reactor accidents on the human body. The purpose is to identify the severity of these accidents and how they impact the human life. The fission process is capable of releasing an enormous amount of energy per unit time. By way of example, it is estimated that roughly two pounds of highly enriched uranium underwent fission in the bomb that was detonated over Hiroshima .

The rest of the mass of uranium was blown apart by the resulting explosion before it could participate in the chain reaction. Nuclear reactions are beyond our everyday experience both in terms of the amount of energy that can be released and the speed with which that release can be accomplished [1]. Because of the tremendous amounts of energy released in these reactions, because of the levels of radioactivity produced by nuclear reactions, and because of the speed with which the reactions can take place, reactors are designed and operated according to very high safety standards .

However, the question is how safe are Western reactors, the types of reactors now operating in the United States, France, and other developed nations? Historically, the safety record is quite good. In the United States, for example, after thousands of reactor-years of experience, not one nuclear worker is known to have died from radiation exposure and not a single member of the general public has been exposed to a large dose of radiation. (A reactor-year is a measure of operating experience.

A Nuclear Reactor Accident

A nuclear accident or radiological accident is an event that may cause an emission of radioactive material or a level of radioactivity that could affect public health. The "nuclear accidents" may occur at a site in the nuclear power industry (a plant of uranium enrichment , a nuclear power plant, a reprocessing of spent fuel , a storage center for radioactive waste ) or another establishment engaged in a nuclear (military site, hospital, laboratory research, etc..), or in a submarine or aircraft carrier icebreakers with nuclear propulsion ...