Gamma electromagnetic radiation has the highest energy and the greatest potential for damage of all the known forms of radiation. Gamma radiation, also known as gamma rays, can affect both living things and nonliving objects.
Irradiation
Exposure to gamma radiation can kill living organisms that could cause disease. Irradiation is an alternative to autoclave treatment for medical instruments. Irradiation is also used to kill organisms on fruits and vegetables to prevent them from spoiling.
Negative Health Effects
Gamma radiation has an extremely small wavelength and can damage DNA on an atomic level. This can lead to the development of cancer in a person exposed to gamma radiation.
Beneficial Health Effects
Focused gamma radiation is used in hospitals to target and kill cancer cells without damaging the surrounding healthy cells.
Imaging Effects
Because gamma radiation can pass through most matter, it can be used to detect objects and materials behind a solid barrier, such as the contents of a sealed shipping container.
Effects on Stones
Gamma rays can change the molecular structures within some kinds of semiprecious stones and can be used to change the color of some types of stones.
Tags: Effects Gamma, gamma radiation, Health Effects
