Biological Effects of Radiation

Radiation interacts with living systems differently and can lead to damage at biological levels. Mechanistic information about these effects can help to exercise the needed precautions. Besides, information on cellular level effects is also helpful in designing many applications in the field of medicine such as therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. The operational limits are also derived from the quantitative information of biological hazards. At low levels of radiation, no serious effects can be observed. Mechanistic understanding of biological effects at molecular, cellular and systems levels at various exposure scenarios such as different types of radiation, dose rates and range of doses will help to address some of the underlying myths of radiation effects. Diagnostic, therapeutic and accidental exposures last for fraction of seconds to few minutes, which are considered as acute exposure while occupational exposures are invariably chronic in nature. Risk estimation methods and models by projection of observed effects due to acute exposure to chronic exposure need logical approaches.