What is radiation poisoning?

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Multiple Choice

What is radiation poisoning?

Radiation poisoning happens when ionizing radiation injures the body's cells by depositing energy in tissues, and this harm is most accurately described when radiation gets into the body or comes into direct contact with internal tissues. External heat isn’t radiation and won’t cause radiation poisoning. Radiation poisoning isn’t a chemical poisoning, since it’s the physical damage from radiation, not a chemical toxin. It’s also not limited to alpha particles—any form of ionizing radiation (alpha, beta, gamma, or x-ray) can cause harm if it reaches the body, especially through internal contamination. Because the definition centers on the radiation interacting with and damaging internal tissues, the statement that it occurs when radiation gets into the body best captures the concept.

Radiation poisoning happens when ionizing radiation injures the body's cells by depositing energy in tissues, and this harm is most accurately described when radiation gets into the body or comes into direct contact with internal tissues. External heat isn’t radiation and won’t cause radiation poisoning. Radiation poisoning isn’t a chemical poisoning, since it’s the physical damage from radiation, not a chemical toxin. It’s also not limited to alpha particles—any form of ionizing radiation (alpha, beta, gamma, or x-ray) can cause harm if it reaches the body, especially through internal contamination. Because the definition centers on the radiation interacting with and damaging internal tissues, the statement that it occurs when radiation gets into the body best captures the concept.

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