Ionizing radiation-induced non-cancer diseases

Abstract

People are exposed to both natural and artificial sources of ionizing radiation. The effects of high doses of radiation are known; however, the effects of low doses are still controversial. Several cohorts of epidemiological studies showed that high and low doses of ionizing radiation can induce noncancerous diseases in humans such as cardiovascular disease, brain injury, and liver disease. These diseases are classified as specific tissue reactions determined by threshold dose. In this article, the author reviews the role of radiation to induce the above nonmalignant diseases and outlines the relationship between exposure to ionizing radiation and diseases. At the end of the review evidence of the association between cardiovascular disease, brain injury, and liver disease and exposure to low and high doses of ionizing radiation was found through the presentation of several studies. Most epidemiological studies and authors have indicated an elevated risk of diseases upon exposure to low and high doses of the radiation