Space Radiation

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Slide 15

(0.005 cSv)

Radiation in our daily life (cSv)

Chest X-ray 0.002

Lumbar spine X-rays 0.13

Barium enema 0.7

CT abdomen 0.8

Living in Houston for one year 0.09

Living in Denver for one year 0.3

Slide 16

Acute radiation syndrome

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Reduction in the number of blood cells

Bleeding

Hair loss

Temporary sterility in males

Lens opacity

Others

Slide 17

Acute radiation syndrome (continue)

Slide 18

Space Radiation Health Project

What are the risks from exposure to space radiation?

How to reduce the risks?

Slide 19

Identified Space Radiation Risks

Carcinogenesis -- Increased cancer morbidity or mortality risk in astronauts may be caused by occupational radiation exposure

Acute and late CNS risks -- Acute and late radiation damage to the central nervous system (CNS) may lead to changes in motor function and behavior, or neurological disorders.

Chronic and degenerative tissue risks -- Radiation exposure may result in degenerative tissue diseases (non-cancer or non-CNS) such as cardiac, circulatory, or digestive diseases, as well as cataracts.

Acute radiation risks -- Acute radiation syndromes may occur due to occupational radiation exposure.

Slide 20

Space Radiation Protection

ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle

Radiation exposure limits

The dose limit for terrestrial radiation workers is 5 cSv per year

Slide 21

Space radiation monitoring

Absorbed dose

Dose equivalent (LET)

Charged particle type and energy

Neutron

Slide 22

What are the evident biological effects of space radiation in astronauts?

Slide 23

Mortality

Numbers provided by Mary Wear

Slide 24

Light Flashes

Slide 25

Budinger, Lyman and Tobias,

Slide 26

Brenner et al. Rad. Res. 1993

Cataract