Radiation - 1. Sources of radiation include:
- a. Sun.
- b. Cellular telephones.
- c. Radon gas.
- d. Electric power lines.
- e. Some household appliances.
- 2. Only about 2% of cancer deaths are caused by radiation, but the cancers are often highly aggressive melanomas.
- 3. Ionizing radiation (from X rays, radioactive materials and radon gas) can cause leukemia and thyroid cancer.
- 4. An example of mutation from radiation is UV light. There are two types, based on wavelength:
- a. Ultraviolet A (UVA) spans 320–400 nm in wavelength. UVA plays a role in skin cancer by increasing the effects of UVB.
- b. Ultraviolet B (UVB) spans 290–320 in wavelength. UVB is the main cause of sunburn, and it is also mutagenic.
- c. Sunscreen reduces the risk of UV exposure.
- d. Many skin cancers are easy to detect and remove surgically.
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