Radiation

Radiation is energy given off from certain materials or devices. Radiations (alpha, beta, gamma and neutron) emitted from radioactive materials and X-rays from X-ray producing machines are of high energy. These are ionizing radiations. Exposure to small intensity of ionizing radiations can result in negligible increase in the chance of cancer. Exposure to very intensity of radiation can result in severe damage to the part of the body exposed. FIU maintains a broad scope radioactive materials license with the State of Florida Only individuals trained and authorized by the Radiation Safety Officer may conduct research involving the use of radioactive materials.

Non-ionizing Radiation Sources

Lasers, light sources, radiofrequency (RF) radiation (microwave), extremely low frequency (ELF)radiation (power lines), are some of the examples of non-ionizing radiation, the radiation which does not have enough energy to break molecular bonds. Biological effects of RF and ELF- heating and cataract- only possible at ten times the permissible exposure limit.