THE EFFECTS OF RADIOACTIVE (IONIZING) RADIATION ON THE HUMAN BODY

Radioactive or ionizing radiation and its mechanisms of action on the human body, dose-dependent consequences, and long-term risks constitute one of the central topics in radiobiology, radiation epidemiology, and medical radiology. This article provides a detailed analysis of the physical-chemical properties of radiation, the processes of damage at the cellular and molecular levels—particularly the direct and indirect damage to DNA, as well as clustered damage mechanisms. Deterministic effects manifest as tissue and organ reactions at high doses and include the clinical stages of acute radiation syndrome, as well as damage to the hematopoietic, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems, skin, eye lens, reproductive system, and circulatory system. Stochastic effects increase the probability of cancer and hereditary mutations. The study results confirm the existence of risk even at low doses and demonstrate the heightened radiosensitivity of children, pregnant women, and young organisms.