Ionizing Radiation

CAS ID#: HZ1800-45-T

Affected Organ Systems: Death, Developmental (effects during periods when organs are developing), Neurological (Nervous System)

Cancer Classification:  Please contact NTP, IARC, or EPA with questions on cancer and cancer classification.

Chemical Classification: Radionuclides (radioactive materials)

Summary: Ionizing radiation is any one of several types of particles and rays given off by radioactive material, high-voltage equipment, nuclear reactions, and stars. The types that are normally important to your health are alpha particles, beta particles, x rays, and gamma rays. Alpha and beta particles are small, fast-moving bits of atoms that a radioactive atom gives off when it changes into another substance. X rays and gamma rays are types of electromagnetic radiation. These radiation particles and rays carry enough energy to knock out electrons from atoms and molecules (such as water, protein, and DNA) that they hit or pass near. This process is called ionization, which is why this radiation is called "ionizing radiation."

EPA Seeks Comments on Medical X-Ray Guidance

Radiation Protection Guidance for Diagnostic and Interventional X-Ray Procedures: Federal Guidance Report No. 14 is now available for public comment. The US Environmental Protection Agency is seeking public comment for 60 days. The comment period ends on June 3, 2013.

The report makes recommendations to federal facilities that use diagnostic and interventional x-ray equipment. You can find more information about the report and learn how to comment on the EPA website.



Community Members
Community Members

ToxFAQs - Fact sheet that answers the most frequently asked questions about a contaminant and its health effects.

Public Health Statement - Summary about a hazardous substance taken from Chapter One of its respective ATSDR Toxicological Profile.

Toxicological and Health Professionals
Toxicological and Health Professionals

Toxicological Profile - Succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects information for a hazardous substance.

Minimal Risk Levels (MRL) - The MRL is an estimate of the daily human exposure to a hazardous substance that is likely to be without appreciable risk of adverse, non-cancer health effects over a specified duration of exposure. The information in this MRL serves as a screening tool to help public health professionals decide where to look more closely to evaluate possible risk of adverse health effects from human exposure.

Page last reviewed: February 10, 2021
Content source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry