There is no doubt that radiation plays a vital role in various aspects of our day-to-day lives. For example, radiation helps medical professionals conduct diagnostic tests and treat certain health problems such as cancer in the health sector. However, improper use of radiation comes with serious consequences. And when that happens, an experienced radiation exposure lawyer might be able to help.
Some of the benefits of radiation include:
- Treatment of certain diseases such as cancer
- Diagnosing certain medical conditions
- Terminating harmful bacteria in food
- Eliminating pain from various parts of the body
And so much more.
On the other hand, radiation also has harmful effects, especially when introduced into the human body at high dosages. Some of these negative effects include:
- Damage to DNA in body cells
- Causes Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS)
- Cutaneous Radiation Injuries (CRI)
- Increased risk of cancer
- Reduction in white blood cells
It should be noted that although radiation can help treat cancer, it can also cause cancer if administered into the human body in high amounts.
Common Causes of Radiation Exposure
Radiation exposure occurs due to different reasons, primarily because of human error. Here are some of the most common causes of this kind of exposure:
Defective Equipment
Manufacturers of radioactive equipment must observe the highest standards of care throughout the manufacturing process. This is because defective radiation equipment can expose the user to high doses of radiation. As a result, they may develop some of the health complications discussed earlier in this article.
Failure to Follow Safety Protocol
Technicians handling such equipment must follow protocol to protect everyone involved. Failure to follow safety protocol can lead to radiation exposure.
Lack of Proper Maintenance
Equipment that emits radioactive waves must be properly maintained. Lack of proper maintenance of such equipment might cause radiation exposure.
Wrong Doses of Radiation
As mentioned before, high doses of radiation come with serious effects. For this reason, the medical professional administering radiation to the patient must ensure that the equipment provides only the correct dosage. Anything above the required limit could be lethal. In that case, you may be able to file a radiation exposure claim against the negligent party.
Lack of Proper Training
It is common knowledge that you need proper training to handle radiation equipment. But some institutions hire technicians to handle this equipment without providing the required training. If anyone gets injured due to poor handling of the equipment, a radiation exposure attorney may be able to help them seek compensation.
Radiation Exposure in the Workplace
Every year, thousands of workers across the country are exposed to radiation without their knowledge. This is because radioactive waves travel through the air and are usually invincible. Examples of job industries considered high risk for radiation exposure include medical fields, nuclear power plants, and the airline industry.
Signs of Radiation Exposure in the Workplace
One of the worst things about radiation exposure is that the symptoms do not show immediately. In fact, these symptoms begin to show when the exposure has reached an advanced stage and most likely caused damage to the body. These symptoms include but are not limited to:
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- General body weakness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
Because the first symptoms of radiation exposure usually seem like common symptoms of ordinary diseases, some people downplay the need for medical checkups. For example, if you constantly feel tired, you might easily blame it on your work schedule, not knowing that it is one of the signs of radiation. This is one of the reasons why health experts recommend seeking immediate medical attention whenever you experience these symptoms, especially if they persist.
It is also important to know that the symptoms of radiation exposure usually occur in stages. Therefore, seeking immediate medical attention can help determine the primary health problem and treat it before it worsens. Remember, radiation exposure can lead to cancer, and given that certain types of cancers cannot be cured, you want to ensure that they are managed when there's still a chance. This can only be done if you get checked by a doctor early enough.