Iodine-131, while used in various treatments, may also pose potential health risks. While Children are potentially at risk when faced with above 100 Becquerel of radioactive iodine, the danger level for adults is approximately 300 Becquerel.
Iodine-131 particularly concentrates in the thyroid gland after entering the body. When I-131 inhabits the thyroid gland the expected biological half-life is approximately 100 days. A long-term exposure with iodine-131 may result in thyroid cancer as well as nodules.
Among those effected, children are often most vulnerable. Even small doses of iodine-131 may challenge the effectiveness of the thyroid gland. Since the thyroid hormones are highly involved in triggering essential growth such as brain development, an infant would be subject to a higher risk. In addition children who are in contact with high levels of iodine-131 have a greater chance of developing cancer later in life.
(Avikali)
sources:
http://www.epa.gov/radiation/radionuclides/iodine.html#affecthealth
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2011/03/25/japan-nuclear-plant-core.html
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-03-23/tokyo-says-infants-face-health-risk-from-radiation-in-tap-water.html
http://www.news-medical.net/news/20110324/Iodine-131-exposure-during-childhood-increases-risk-of-developing-thyroid-cancer.aspx
Ingen kommentarer:
Send en kommentar