MA03 - Biological Effects of Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Understanding the fundamental principles of the biological effects of radiation. Acquisition of basic knowledge of cellular damage types and repair mechanisms. Comprehension of the mechanisms of radiation-induced cell death. Introduction to dosimetric quantities and radiation dose measurement units. Understanding cellular-level biological functions directly or indirectly involved in radiation damage. Differentiation between damage caused by ionizing and non-ionizing interactions. Understanding the dose-risk relationship of ionizing radiation and training on radiation dose limits. Awareness of the effects of excessive mobile phone usage and other non-ionizing radiation-emitting devices.

COURSE CONTENT

Fundamental Principles of Radiobiology

Definition of Radiobiology and experimental models
Free radicals and oxidative stress
Stages of ionizing radiation action on cells
Types of cellular damage and repair mechanisms
Radiation-induced cell death and apoptosis
Dosimetric quantities and measurement units: skin dose, dose-area product (DAP), dosimetric measurement systems, radioactivity and activity units
Effects of radiation on living tissues: direct and indirect action, biological consequences, dose-risk relationships, radiation exposure limits, medical exposures, biological effects on embryos, age-dependent radiation risks, effective doses, and stochastic effects

Radiation-Induced Damage to Cells and Tissues

Cellular damage: Cell life cycle, biological damage phases, stimulatory and harmful cellular effects
Tissue radiation damage: Target theory and tissue radiosensitivity
Immediate biological effects: Type H and F tissues, whole-body irradiation, localized radiation exposure
Delayed biological effects: Stochastic somatic effects (carcinogenesis), stochastic genetic effects (hereditary diseases), specific effects on embryos and developing tissues
Stochastic vs. deterministic reactions: Random (stochastic) vs. cause-and-effect (deterministic) reactions
Key radiobiological parameters: Linear Energy Transfer (LET), Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE)

Biological Effects of Non-Ionizing Radiation

Sources of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation and geophysical factors influencing radiation-tissue interactions
Mutations, mutagens, genotoxicity, and epigenetic factors
Activation of electromagnetic properties of tissues through external fields
Uncertainties and knowledge gaps regarding radiation exposure risks
Static electric fields: Thermal vs. non-thermal effects, heat generation mechanisms, cellular heating and damage, free radical reactions
Electromagnetic fields and the human body as an electrochemical system
Low-frequency fields (ELF) and industrial exposure risks: Correlation between electromagnetic field exposure and breast cancer risk, potential links between electrical fields and childhood leukemia, safe exposure times for electronic devices
Living near power lines: Relationship between residence proximity to high-voltage power lines and cancer incidence, health risks of overhead power transmission lines

Mobile Telephony and Health Effects

Impacts of excessive mobile phone use on biological systems
Potential link between mobile phone use and cancer risk
Emerging concerns with 4G and 5G technology exposure
General population exposure limits and regulatory frameworks