We Are Exposed to Natural Occurring Radiation     dosimeter badge
OSHA
Radiation

 

We are exposed to radiation in every life, in the simple things we do. By understanding where and what radiation is, you can implement tips to protect yourself against some of the hidden dangers. 

There are two types of radiation – electromagnetic waves and particle radiation. Electromagnetic radiation is the most common form of radiation we come in contact with daily. Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation, and rays from the sun can prove beneficial as they carry Vitamin D, an essential element for life. Through chlorophyll found in their leaves, plants use light to create food. Microwave oven appliances utilize radiation to heat the food you eat, though the device is built to shield you from radiation exposure. X-rays are a necessary diagnostic tool, and our exposure to them provides doctors and scientists clues to our health. However, too much radiation from repeated exposure to high-energy electromagnetic waves like x-rays, gamma rays, alpha particles, beta particles, and other isotopes can be damaging. 

Particle radiation includes proton, neutron, and electron beams that are created when unstable plutonium and uranium atoms split, like in a nuclear reactor or bomb. This type of radiation, while less common, is more damaging as it causes genetic defects, severe burns, cancer, and even death. 

There are other easy ways to protect yourself from radiation every day.

  1. Incorporate chlorophyll-rich foods into your diet. Foods like seaweed, kelp, spirulina, and chlorella contain rich minerals, potent antioxidants, and chelating agents. Minerals like iodine block the receptor’s sites in your thyroid to prevent radioactivity that you are exposed to from harming your thyroid. Antioxidants prevent the growth of cancer cells and inhibit free radical activity, which reaps destruction to your body’s cells. Finally, chelating agents bind to toxins and eliminate them from your body as waste. ​​
  2. Eat other fruits and vegetables that have high levels of antioxidants. Dark fruits like cherries, blueberries, pomegranates, and green vegetables like broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and avocados, along with yams and sweet potatoes, help your body to destroy free radicals and toxins. Free radicals are byproducts that occur internally, generally from our metabolism, and externally, like air pollution or smoke. Too many free radicals cause cellular damage, and antioxidants in these fruits and vegetables help destroy and eliminate them from your body.
  3. Eat selenium-rich foods like eggs, tuna, salmon, brown rice, onions, and many other vegetables. When food shopping and preparing meals, choose foods of every color to ensure a balanced intake of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. 
  4. Stay hydrated and drink half of your weight in ounces of filtered water daily to flush your system and your cells.
  5. Wear breathable and protective clothing to limit your exposure to solar radiation whenever you are in the sun. A hat will help prevent sunburn on your head, face, neck, and shoulders. Applying sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or more will provide the most coverage and protection. Reapplying sunscreen is required after a few hours.
  6. Radiation exposure can cause irreversible damage to your retinas, especially if your irises are light. Wearing polarized sunglasses offers the highest level of protection for your eyes by limiting the amount of radiation that passes through your pupils. 
  7. Take additional supplements of vitamins C, D, and E, which will assist in antioxidant activity, and alpha lipoic acid, which will protect cells from radiation damage.
  8. Natural herbs like peppermint and chrysanthemum can be taken to help the body detoxify.
  9. Do not eat or purchase products or foods grown or prepared in areas where radioactivity has occurred. Radiation can linger well after an accident or incident. Understand your food source, and choose organic food when possible.
  10. Wearable devices, like a dosimeter ring or OSL dosimeter badge from RadiationSafety.com, can be worn for detection. Radion Satefy badges primarily read ionizing radiation from x-ray, gamma rays, and beta particles.

 

Everyday radiation is not something that should frighten us. However, a healthy reverence to ionizing radioactive effects and implementing these ten tips can help reduce unnecessary harm and damage. 

 

Sources

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27084545/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/radiation-protection-_b_840246 

 

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