Environmental hazards

Journal Article · 01 January 1972 · Federation Proceedings. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology

OSTI ID:4395256

Hanlon, John J.

The relationship of environmental factors to human health is reviewed with emphasis on hazards resulting from technological advancements, including radiation, chemical pollutants, and noise. It is pointed out that man has always been exposed to radiation from natural sources in his environment but that the rapidly expanding use of ionizing and nonionizing radiations for diagnostic medical procedures, power development, weapons manufacture and testing, and communications has greatly increased his exposure. In the USA it is estimated that 45% of the annual radiation dose to man is from natural sources, 45% is from medical exposures, and that other sources, including fallout, luminous watch dials, and television screens account for the rest. The potential hazards from the development of the nuclear power industry, with the possibility of release of radioactive wastes from reactors, fuel reprocessing plants, and waste storage areas are considered briefly. It is emphasized that the development of radiation protection standards has led to the control of radiation hazards by the nuclear industry and in military applications of nuclear energy and that the control of hazards during medical uses of x radiation and radioisotopes for diagnosis purposes has received critical attention from the medical profession during the past few years. It is suggested that additional research is needed in the fields of the genetic effects of radiation, radiation effects on developing fetuses resulting from diagnostic exposure of the pregnant mother, and radiation problems related to tritium release to the environment.

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: NONE
• NSA Number: NSA-29-000662
• OSTI ID: 4395256
• Journal Information: Federation Proceedings. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, Journal Name: Federation Proceedings. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 31; ISSN FEPRA7; ISSN 0014-9446
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*HUMAN POPULATIONS-- HEALTH HAZARDS
*MAN-- RADIATION HAZARDS
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
ENVIRONMENT
FALLOUT
FUEL REPROCESSING PLANTS
LAND POLLUTION
NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY
NOISE
NUCLEAR INDUSTRY
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATIONS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIOISOTOPE SCANNING
SAFETY STANDARDS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WATER POLLUTION