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Radiation and Radioactivity : Effects of Radiation
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Too much radiation, like too much of anything, is harmful.
We know about this harm from research and from accidents, and from the effects of the two atomic bombs dropped on Japan in 1945. The effects can range from mild gastrointestinal problems (such as nausea and vomiting) to changes in the blood, to damage to the central nervous system.
Too little radiation, likewise, is also harmful.
The world's flora and fauna, including human beings, have grown up in a radioactive environment. We know from research in which organisms have been shielded from everyday radiation that their growth is stunted. We also know it from comparing populations that receive different levels of radiation because of their location. Often, the populations receiving the most radiation are healthier and suffer fewer cancers. In between these extremes, it is usual to protect workers when they work in industries that use sources of radiation.
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