25 Intense Facts About Radiation And Its Crazy Effects

Posted by , Updated on March 22, 2024

Many people are aware of the risks associated with radiation. Yet, there has been an abundance of misconceptions and erroneous beliefs related to its impacts, in large part because of radiation’s association with nuclear weapons. Even the government of the United States has disseminated some rather deceptive information regarding radiation in the past. For instance, post the nuclear bombings in Japan that effectively ended the Second World War, the US assured that there would be no fallout radiation or detrimental effects. Contrary to these claims, there were harmful aftermaths. Over time, our understanding of radiation and its impact on the human body has greatly expanded, as will be evident in the 25 profound facts about radiation that will be shared forthwith.

Because of the misinformation in the past, there are lots of people who subscribe to somewhat pseudoscientific beliefs about radiation. While it is true that it can be harmful. And yes, you should avoid getting x-rayed too much. There is more to the radiation story. For example, only ionizing radiation is dangerous. This is the high intensity radiation like gamma rays and x-rays. We are constantly bombarded by electromagnetic waves that simply pass through us or go around us without any harm. These include radio waves, microwaves, and more. Our entire universe is full of radiation. In fact, your TV even picks up some of the radiation left over form the Big Bang! There is no escaping it. These are 25 intense facts about radiation and its crazy effects!

Featured Image: torange.us

25

The crew of a submerged nuclear submarine are actually exposed to less radiation than somebody standing on dry ground. This is due to various factors, including less background radiation.

The crew of a submerged nuclear submarine are actually exposed to less radiation than somebody standing on dry ground. This is due to various factors, including less background radiation.Source: epa.gov, Image: wikipedia
24

The power plant at Chernobyl is still emitting radiation and there is a good chance that the containment structure may collapse, leading to even more radioactive emissions.

The power plant at Chernobyl is still emitting radiation and there is a good chance that the containment structure may collapse, leading to even more radioactive emissions.Source: wired.co.uk, Image: wikipedia
23

Due to the high amount of granite used in its construction, Grand Central Station in NYC emits more radiation then what would be allowed even at a nuclear power plant

Due to the high amount of granite used in its construction, Grand Central Station in NYC emits more radiation that what would be allowed even at a nuclear power plantSource: world-nuclear.org, Image: wikipedia
22

There is a certain species of fungus in Chernobyl that actually thrives on radiation (Crytococcus neoformans)

There is a certain species of fungus in Chernobyl that actually thrives on radiation (Crytococcus neoformans)Source: scienceagogo.com, Image: wikipedia
21

The average smoker receives an annual dose of radiation equivalent to about 300 chest x-rays due to radioactive isotopes in the smoke

The average smoker receives an annual dose of radiation equivalent to about 300 chest x-rays due to radioactive isotopes in the smoke.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
20

On December 24 2004, Earth was blasted by the largest amount of radiation ever recorded. It came from a neutron star nearly 50,000 light years away

On December 24 2004, Earth was blasted by the largest amount of radiation ever recorded. It came from a neutron star nearly 50,000 light years awaySource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
19

Bananas are relatively radioactive

Bananas are relatively radioactiveSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
18

Due to cosmic radiation hitting their retinas, astronauts will sometimes see bright flashes when they close their eyes

Due to cosmic radiation hitting their retinas, astronauts will sometimes see bright flashes when they close their eyesSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
17

Pilots and flight attendants are exposed to more radiation in a year than some nuclear power plant workers. For this reason, they are officially classified as "radiation workers"

Pilots and flight attendants are exposed to more radiation in a year than some nuclear power plant workers. For this reason, they are officially classified as "radiation workers"Source: nasa, Image: wikipedia
16

A small amount of uranium (a handful) has about as much radiation as 10 bananas. We told you those bananas are radioactive!

A small amount of uranium (a handful) only has about as much radiation as 10 bananas. We told you those bananas are radioactive!Source: idigumining.com, Image: wikipedia
15

The Manhattan Project tested the effects of radiation on citizens in some pretty outlandish ways, including feeding babies radioactive oatmeal.

The Manhattan Project tested the effects of radiation on citizens in some pretty outlandish ways, including feeding babies radioactive oatmeal.Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
14

Albert Stevens was injected with plutonium during a Manhattan Project experiment. He survived its radioactive effects for 20 years and would eventually become the longest surviving human being that was exposed to such high levels of radiation

Albert Stevens was injected with plutonium during a Manhattan Project experiment. He survived its radioactive effects for 20 years and would eventually become the longest surviving human being that was exposed to such high levels of radiationSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
13

Vladimir Pravik was a firefighter who responded to the blast at Chernobyl. It is said that his eyes turned from brown to blue because of the radiation

Vladimir Pravik was a firefighter who responded to the blast at Chernobyl. It is said that his eyes turned from brown to blue because of the radiationSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
12

The United States originally denied that atomic bombs cause lingering radioactivity. They even cited this as Japanese propaganda.

The United States originally denied that atomic bombs cause lingering radioactivity. They even cited this as Japanese propaganda.Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
11

After Marie Curie discovered radium, it was used in everything from toothpaste to candy. Of course, it had very negative health effects

After Marie Curie discovered radium, it was used in everything from toothpaste to candy. Of course, it had very negative health effectsSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
10

People living near coal power plants are exposed to more radiation than those living near nuclear power plants

A toy called the Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Laboratory was sold during the 50s. It came with real-live ore samples.Source: inference.phy.cam.ac.uk, Image: wikipedia
9

A toy called the Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Laboratory was sold during the 50s. It came with real-live ore samples.

A toy called the Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Laboratory was sold during the 50s. It came with real-live ore samples.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
8

In a few thousand years, when binary star system WR 104 explodes in a supernova, it could blast Earth with enough radiation to cause mass extinction.

In a few thousand years, when binary star system WR 104 explodes in a supernova, it could blast Earth with enough radiation to cause mass extinction.Source: news.discovery.com, Image: wikipedia
7

The American flags placed on the moon have all been bleached white due to radiation from the Sun

The American flags placed on the moon have all been bleached white due to radiation from the SunSource: wikipedia, Image: methodshop.com via flickr
6

Roughly 1% of the static from an untuned analog TV is due to cosmic background radiation left over from the Big Bang

Roughly 1% of the static from an untuned analog TV is due to cosmic background radiation left over from the Big BangSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
5

Soybeans near Chernobyl have been found to develop anti-radiation defenses. This may prove helpful to humans in the future.

Soybeans near Chernobyl have been found to develop anti-radiation defenses. This may prove helpful to humans in the future.Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
4

After studying life around Chernobyl and other nuclear disaster zones, radiation may have facilitated genetic mutations that helped various species to survive

After studying life around Chernobyl and other nuclear disaster zones, radiation may have facilitated genetic mutations that helped various species to surviveSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
3

Although it is true that cellphones emit radiation, so do people. In fact, you emit more radiation than your cellphone does

Although it is true that cellphones emit radiation, so do people. In fact, you emit more radiation than your cellphone doesSource: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia
2

Industrial waste products such as arsenic are more dangerous to humans than an equivalent amount of nuclear waste products

Industrial waste products such as arsenic are more dangerous to humans than an equivalent amount of nuclear waste productsSource: nei.org, Image: wikipedia
1

We are constantly bombarded by radiation every day. Most of it is harmless. It is only ionizing radiation that can be harmful in high enough doses (x-rays, gamma rays, etc)

We are constantly bombarded by radiation every day. Most of it is harmless. It is only ionizing radiation that can be harmful in high enough doses (x-rays, gamma rays, etc)Source: wikipedia, Image: torange.us