Effects of EM Radiation on Living Things and Environment PDF

# Electromagnetic Radiation and Its Effect ## Module 2.2 **A diagram showing the Visible Spectrum in the electromagnetic spectrum** - The visible spectrum ranges from 400 nanometers to 750 nanometers. ## **The Electromagnetic Spectrum** **A diagram showing the electromagnetic spectrum with a sca...

# Electromagnetic Radiation and Its Effect ## Module 2.2 **A diagram showing the Visible Spectrum in the electromagnetic spectrum** - The visible spectrum ranges from 400 nanometers to 750 nanometers. ## **The Electromagnetic Spectrum** **A diagram showing the electromagnetic spectrum with a scale on the top for wavelength in meters and a scale on the bottom for frequency in Hertz** - Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. - The size of a humans is comparable to the size of radio waves. - The size of a honey bee is comparable to the size of microwaves. - The size of a pinpoint is comparable to the size of infrared waves. - The size of protozoans is comparable to the size of visible light. - The size of molecules is comparable to the size of ultraviolet waves. - The size of atoms is comparable to the size of X-rays. - The size of atomic nuclei is comparable to the size of Gamma Rays. - The temperature of bodies emitting the wavelength: - For radio waves, the temperature is about 1 Kelvin. - For microwaves, the temperature is about 100 Kelvin. - For infrared waves, the temperature is about 10,000 Kelvin. - For visible light, the temperature is about 10 million Kelvin. **Another simplified diagram of the EM Spectrum with the same information as the previous diagram** ## Review - Radiation is a transmission of energy in a form of waves through space or a material medium. - There are two types of radiation: - **Non-ionizing radiation:** Common in daily life. Includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, and UV. - **Ionizing radiation:** Mostly associated with medicine. Has enough energy to interact with the human body. ## Outline - General effects of EM Radiation to Living Things and Environment - Effects of Non-ionizing Radiation - Effects of Ionizing Radiation - Types of Ionizing Radiation and Penetration - Harmful effects of Electronic Devices - Simple ways to reduce exposure to electronic devices ## General Effects of EM Waves to Living Things and Environment - **To Humans:** - The human body can absorb radiations that might be harmful and can cause diseases. - Long-term exposure to low-frequency EMR from home appliances can cause health problems. - **To Animals:** - Migratory birds come in direct contact with EMR from TV, cell phones, and FM towers, becoming confused and disoriented. - Cows grazing near TV, cell phones, and FM towers can experience health problems like defective embryos, birth deformities, and behavioral issues. - **To Plants:** - EMR from microwaves affects the nutrient capability of vegetables, making them unhealthy for human use. - Microwaves destroy vegetables' anti-cancer abilities. - EMR causes an increase in crown transparency, turning leaves brown, yellow, and red. - Tree leaves fall prematurely, branches die, and growth becomes irregular. ## Effects of Non-ionizing Radiation - Non-ionizing radiation does not have enough energy to remove electrons from atoms and molecules. - We are exposed to low levels of non-ionizing radiation every day. - Intense and direct exposure can result in damage to tissue due to heat. ## Effects of Non-ionizing Radiation - **Ultraviolet (UV):** - The Sun emits UVA, UVB, and UVC. - UVC rays are absorbed by the ozone layer and never reach Earth. - UVA penetrates through the skin. - UVB reaches the surface of the skin. - Overexposure to UV rays can be negative and immediate or delayed. - Sunburn, skin cancer, and cataracts develop with excessive exposure. - **Visible light:** - Overexposure to visible light can damage both the eyes and skin. - Blurry or distorted vision may develop. - Visible light can penetrate the full thickness of the skin and induce pigmentation and erythema. - **Infrared (IR):** - Large amounts of IR radiation can damage eyes and cause blindness. - IR radiation absorbed by the cornea is converted into heat, which is then conducted to the lens and induces cataracts. - The absorption of IR radiation by greenhouse gases contributes to increased temperatures in the atmosphere and on the surface of the Earth. - **Microwaves:** - Overexposure to MW radiation can cause cataracts and skin burns. - Microwaved radiations cause inhibitory effects on the growth of all treated plants. - **Radio Frequency:** - Exposure to EM fields in this frequency range can warm up exposed tissues, due to the conversion of radio waves into heat. - In MRI, the magnetic fields that change with time create loud knocking noises. - The loud knocking noises can harm hearing if adequate ear protection is not used. - **Lasers:** - When not used properly, lasers burn and cause severe damage to tissues, especially in the eye. - The narrow beam of light concentrates the effects on the retina, causing blindspots. **A picture of a human eye with a cataract is shown.**