| Through atomic bombs and horrific stories of | | | | such as your microwave produce non-ionizing |
| radiation use gone wrong, today's populous has come | | | | radiation; a form of radiation that does not have |
| to the conclusion that radiation is quite negative, | | | | cancer risks associated with it like its sister ionizing |
| when in reality there are many positive and | | | | form found in ultraviolet light or high energy particles. |
| productive uses for it when used and applied | | | | In a wider community wide or industrial use, radiation |
| properly. From medicine to mechanical engineering and | | | | can be used both for energy production and food |
| feats of electrical production, radiation is viewed by | | | | sterilization. Nuclear radiation is the basis for nuclear |
| some in a more positive light than the majority of | | | | physics and nuclear fission, both of which have been |
| people today. | | | | monumental scientific discoveries that have led to |
| Radiation therapy, often used to help stop the | | | | mass electricity production and countless medicinal |
| growth and spread of cancerous cells, is perhaps the | | | | and industrial advances. Irradiation is the technical |
| most widely used form of radiation. There are two | | | | term that is used to describe forms of sterilization |
| forms of therapy using this fairly new science: | | | | currently used by the United States Postal Service to |
| external and internal radiation. External radiation is | | | | sterilize mail in Washington D.C., and that is used in |
| simply using large machines to aim specific amounts | | | | processes such as food preservation. Since X-rays |
| of radiation directly at cancerous cells, while internal | | | | and gamma rays are used in irradiation materials |
| therapy may consist of placing a radioactive pellet | | | | subjected to it do not become radioactive, so no |
| directly into the body and is usually only used in | | | | need to worry about the adverse health effects of |
| adults. The high energy form of radiation that is used | | | | opening your mail. |
| in these therapies can be a needed and powerful tool | | | | Positive scientific advances, medicinal treatments, |
| in the treatment of cancer. | | | | household items, and trips to your local dentist are |
| Even your daily activities consist of using radiation in a | | | | only a few ways that mankind has found to further |
| positive manner in ways that are considered so | | | | our knowledge and successes in many different |
| normal that we do not even think twice about using | | | | fields. While radiation can be extremely harmful if not |
| the products. Any time you go to the dentists office | | | | monitored and used properly it can also be a |
| or break a bone and go to see your family physician | | | | tremendous benefit to many fields of study and our |
| you are exposed to X-ray machines. These tools are | | | | industry. There are countless other forms and uses |
| useful in diagnosing ailments and to discover the root | | | | for it and through responsibility we can continue to |
| causes of many physical problems. Furthermore, your | | | | harness its healing and advancing power. |
| home is no safe haven as simple household items | | | | |