dangers of electromagnetic waves

• What can EM radiation sometimes create when it enters living tissue?

  Harm
• How does the energy of EM waves affect their impact on living tissue?

  Higher energy waves cause more damage
• What type of waves mostly pass through tissue without being absorbed?

  Low-frequency waves
• What types of radiation are considered high-frequency waves?

  UV, X-rays, and gamma rays
• What are some serious effects of UV radiation?

  Blindness and increased skin cancer risk
• What type of radiation can cause gene mutation or cell destruction?

  X-rays and gamma rays
• What is the purpose of measuring radiation dose in sieverts?

  To measure the risk of harm from radiation
• What is the relationship between sieverts and millisieverts?

  1000 mSv = 1 Sv
• How does the radiation dose differ between a head and chest CT scan?

  Chest scan has a higher radiation dose
• How much more likely is a patient to suffer gene damage from a chest CT scan compared to a head scan?

  Four times more likely
• What are the risks and benefits of radiation exposure?

  • Ionising radiation can be dangerous
  • Risks must be balanced with benefits
  • Example: X-ray machines in shoe shops were phased out due to risks
• When were X-ray machines in shoe shops phased out?

  From 1920-1970
• Why were X-ray machines in shoe shops phased out?

  Realization of radiation's harmful effects
• What is the main consideration before using harmful EM radiation?

  Whether benefits outweigh health risks