Ionizing radiation

Ionizing radiation is generally to be considered capable of human or animal bodies, and causing physiological effects. They include high energy X-rays, gamma rays, and neutrons are penetrating radiations. Under specialized circumstances, sources of non-penetrating energy, such as alpha particles, may be considered as kinds of ionizing radiation if their source enters the body such that normal bodily measures do not protect against their effects. It is capable of producing ions, directly or indirectly, in its passage through matter.

Ionizing radiation can have effects measurable by both chemical and physical processes. The World Health Organization defines it as "...radiation with enough energy so that during an interaction with an atom, it can remove tightly bound electrons from the orbit of an atom, causing the atom to become charged or ionized. For electromagnetic radiation (i.e., not particles such as neutrons, or sound energy), the shorter the wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum, the more energetic the radiation and the greater are its effects.

If delivered in suffient intensity, over a short period of time, to the entire body, they may cause acute radiation syndrome. In the U.S. and other countries, sources of ionizing radiation (e.g., a X-ray machine used in diagnostic imaging) that are claimed to have health benefits are also considered radiation-emitting products, although such products may also emit non-ionizing radiation such as ultrasound.

Sources of ionizing radiation, above a certain level of intensity and ability to penetrate, may also fall under the regulation of other organizations, such as the U.S. Department of Energy. Materials that emit signficant ionizing radiation at all times can be considered hazardous materials. An improvised device that cause uncontrolled release of sources of ionizing radiation may be considered a radiological weapon.

There are an immense number of beneficial applications of ionizing radiation, but the sources need to be handled properly so that they do not become a hazard.