Dr. Tsubokura's Radiation Lecture Vol.35

Author: Masaharu Tsubokura

Editors: Akihiko Ozaki M.D., Yuki Senoo

69. The exposure dosage determines the adverse health effects of radiation poisoning

Unstable radioactive substances emit unneeded protons, neutrons, electrons and energy in the form of radiation to stabilize their nuclei.

However, radioactive substances are not able to emit protons, neutrons, electrons randomly, and the type and the number of particles emitted are unique to each substance. For example, 2 protons and neutrons, 1 electron, or a certain amount of energy are emitted by alpha, beta, and gamma rays, respectively.

As another example, radium and radon, which are naturally-occurring radioactive substances found in hot springs, are known to emit alpha rays.

Potassium, an element found in many foods, emits beta and gamma rays. Furthermore, radioactive cesium emits beta and gamma rays, while strontium emits beta rays.