Radiation often brings to mind danger, especially gamma rays, but radiation also serves some beneficial uses. Gamma radiation poses some of the greatest risks, but precautions will avoid most of its potentially harmful effects.

Description

Gamma rays are a very high energy type of electromagnetic wave that can pass through the body and cause physical damage as well as irradiate the body, reports the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Effects

Gamma ray photons are small enough to break the strands of DNA that make up our body's unique features, reports the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Physics Department. Damaged DNA can lead to cancer.

Origin

The explosions of far away stars, known as supernovas, send bursts of gamma rays hurtling through the universe to earth for a few, brief moments every day, according to Science Daily.

Theories/Speculation

Although no concrete evidence exists, scientists at National Geographic posit that a burst of gamma radiation may have wiped out millions of species almost a half billion years ago, and could do so again.

Considerations

About 16 percent of radiation, which includes gamma rays, comes from the natural environment, reports the U.S. Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management. Man-made sources of gamma rays usually come from medical diagnostics, such as X-rays. Limiting medical screening can lower the exposure to gamma radiation, but not by much.

Source:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration; The Danger of Gamma Rays

Urbana Champaign Physics Department; Uses and dangers of radioactive elements

Science Daily; Gamma-Ray Bursts: Are We Safe?

Resource:

National Geographic; Anne Minard; Gamma-Ray Burst Caused Mass Extinction?

U.S. Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management; Facts About Radiation