Uses
Gamma rays can kill living cells, they are used to kill cancer cells without having to resort to surgery. This procedure is called "Radiotherapy", and works because cancer cells can't repair themselves like healthy cells can when damaged by gamma rays. Another use of gama rays in the medical field is in Scintigrams, which use gamma rays as “tracers”. This is done by putting slightly radioactive substances into a patients body, then scanning the patient to detect gamma rays which build up a picture of whats going on inside the patient. This is very useful because they can see the body processes actually working, rather than just looking at still pictures. In industry, radioactive “tracer” substances can be put into pipes and machinery, then we can detect where the substances go. This is basically the same use as in medicine. Gamma rays can also kill microbes, and are used to sterilize food so that it will keep fresh for longer. This is known as "irradiated" food. They also commonly used to sterilize medical equipment. In the US, gamma ray detectors are beginning to be used to “See through” shipping containers, as part of a safety initiative.
Positive Effects
Positive applications of gamma rays include cancer treatment through radiation, measurement and tracking of fluid flows, resource exploration, sterilization of medical equipment, pasteurization and geodesic surveys. All of these make use of gamma rays' high energy and ionization levels especially useful for ranged applications because gamma photons can travel long distances before decaying.
Negative Effects
If an individual is exposed to radiation, or small doses of gamma radiation regularly for some time, they may develop a mild case of radiation poisoning. While radiation can kill any body cell, the most susceptible cells are the fastest-growing ones, since their genetic material is most exposed. As a result, the skin, hair and gastrointestinal tract cells are most likely to be affected first in radiation. Individuals who are exposed to gamma radiation, even if they recover from the acute and chronic effects of radiation sickness, are at increased risk for cancer.
Gamma rays can kill living cells, they are used to kill cancer cells without having to resort to surgery. This procedure is called "Radiotherapy", and works because cancer cells can't repair themselves like healthy cells can when damaged by gamma rays. Another use of gama rays in the medical field is in Scintigrams, which use gamma rays as “tracers”. This is done by putting slightly radioactive substances into a patients body, then scanning the patient to detect gamma rays which build up a picture of whats going on inside the patient. This is very useful because they can see the body processes actually working, rather than just looking at still pictures. In industry, radioactive “tracer” substances can be put into pipes and machinery, then we can detect where the substances go. This is basically the same use as in medicine. Gamma rays can also kill microbes, and are used to sterilize food so that it will keep fresh for longer. This is known as "irradiated" food. They also commonly used to sterilize medical equipment. In the US, gamma ray detectors are beginning to be used to “See through” shipping containers, as part of a safety initiative.
Positive Effects
Positive applications of gamma rays include cancer treatment through radiation, measurement and tracking of fluid flows, resource exploration, sterilization of medical equipment, pasteurization and geodesic surveys. All of these make use of gamma rays' high energy and ionization levels especially useful for ranged applications because gamma photons can travel long distances before decaying.
Negative Effects
If an individual is exposed to radiation, or small doses of gamma radiation regularly for some time, they may develop a mild case of radiation poisoning. While radiation can kill any body cell, the most susceptible cells are the fastest-growing ones, since their genetic material is most exposed. As a result, the skin, hair and gastrointestinal tract cells are most likely to be affected first in radiation. Individuals who are exposed to gamma radiation, even if they recover from the acute and chronic effects of radiation sickness, are at increased risk for cancer.