• Question: Describe the effects of gamma radiation on the body

    Asked by kryptick to Amy, Karen, Sarah, Vijay, Will on 19 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Sarah Martin

      Sarah Martin answered on 19 Jun 2012:

      Hi kryptick!

      Gamma radiation can cause visible burns on the outside of the body, but the damage on the inside of the body is more dangerous. It kills cells and damages DNA. People would then get radiation sickness, with symptoms like feeling ill, bleeding and losing hair.

      But Gamma radiation is used in controlled quantities for medical use because of these properties. In radiation therapy, a targeted does of radiation is used on a tumor to destroy the cancer cells!

      🙂 Sarah

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