Environmental Health Substances Map
This map displays locations where Ionizing Radiation is known to be present.
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Toxicological Profile for Ionizing Radiation
September 1999
Toxicological Profile Information
The ATSDR toxicological profile succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects information for the hazardous substance described here. Each peer-reviewed profile identifies and reviews the key literature that describes a hazardous substance's toxicologic properties. Other pertinent literature is also presented, but is described in less detail than the key studies. The complete list of topics covered (chapter titles) is shown at the left and in more detail further down this page.
The focus of the profile is on health and toxicologic information.
Therefore, each profile begins with a Public Health Statement that summarizes in nontechnical
language, a substance's relevant properties.
A useful two page information sheet, the ToxFAQsTM, is also available.
In order to access the ATSDR toxicological profiles' PDF files below, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader .
You may download that program for free from this link to Adobe 
and then use it to access (open) the files below that are labeled as PDF files.
The table of contents and list of individual PDF files are given below.
- Foreword
- Quick reference for health care providers
- Contributors
- Peer review
- List of figures
- List of tables
1. Public Health Statement, 395 KB
- 1.1 What is Ionizing Radiation?
1.2 How does radioactive material enter and spread through the environment?
1.3 How might I be exposed to Ionizing Radiation?
1.4 How can Ionizing Radiation enter and leave my body?
1.5 How can Ionizing Radiation affect my health?
1.6 How can Ionizing Radiation affect children
1.7 How can families reduce the risk of exposure to Ionizing Radiation
1.8 Is there a medical test to determine whether I have been exposed to it?
1.9 Is there a medical test to determine whether I have been exposed to Ionizing Radiation?
1.10 Where can I get more information?
2. Principles of Ionizing Radiation, 631 KB
- 2.1 Introduction
2.2 History, background information, and scientific principles of ionizing radiation
2.3 Fundamentals of ionizing radiation dosimetry
2.4 Biological effects of radiation
2.5 Measuring internal and external sources of ionizing radiation
2.6 Conclusions
2.7 Other sources of information
3. Summary of Health Effects Of Ionizing Radiation, 963 KB
- 3.1 Introduction
3.2 Health effects from exposure to ionizing radiation
3.3 Identification of data needs
3.4 Conclusions
4. Radiation Accidents, 467 KB
- 4.1 Palomares, Spain
4.2 Goiania, Brazil
4.3 Thule, Greenland
4.4 Rocky Flats, Colorado
4.5 Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania
4.6 Chernobyl, Ukraine
4.7 Kyshtym
4.8 Windscale, U.K
4.9 Tomsk
4.10 Lost Industrial or Medical Sources
4.11 Identification of Data Needs
4.12 Conclusions
4.13 Other Sources of Information
5. Mechanisms of Biological Effects, 146 KB
- 5.1 Introduction
5.2 Evidence of the effects on DNA
5.3 Interactions of ionizing radiation with DNA
5.4 Effects on other cellular macromolecules
5.5 Mechanisms of carcinogenesis
5.6 Identification of data needs
5.7 Summary
6. Sources of Population Exposure to Ionizing Radiation,
330 KB
- 6.1 Overview
6.2 Cosmic radiation exposure
6.3 Terrestrial radiation exposure
6.4 Natural internal exposure
6.5 X Ray and nuclear medicine exposures
6.6 Exposure from consumer products
6.7 Exposure from other sources
6.8 Adequacy of the database
6.9 Conclusions
8. Levels of Significant Exposure to Radiation and Radioactive Material, 1.7 KB
- A. ATSDR minimal risk level worksheets
B. User's guide
C. Acronyms, abbreviations, and symbols
D. Index
Reference
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 1999. Toxicological profile for ionizing radiation. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
Disclaimer
All ATSDR toxicological profile PDF files are electronic conversions from paper copy or other electronic ASCII text files. This conversion may have resulted in character translation or format errors. Users are referred to the original paper copy of the toxicological profile for the official text, figures, and tables. Original paper copies can be obtained via the directions on the toxicological profile home page, which also contains other important information about the profiles.
Where can I get more information?
If you have questions or concerns, please contact your community or state health or environmental quality department or:
For more information, contact:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-57
Atlanta, GA 30329-4027
Phone: 1-800-CDC-INFO · 888-232-6348 (TTY)
Email: Contact CDC-INFO
ATSDR can also tell you the location of occupational and environmental health clinics. These clinics specialize in recognizing, evaluating, and treating illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances.
Information line and technical assistance:
Phone: 888-422-8737
To order toxicological profiles, contact:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
Phone: 800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000
Disclaimer
Some PDF files may be electronic conversions from paper copy or other electronic ASCII text files. This conversion may have resulted in character translation or format errors. Users are referred to the original paper copy of the toxicological profile for the official text, figures, and tables. Original paper copies can be obtained via the directions on the toxicological profile home page, which also contains other important information about the profiles.
The information contained here was correct at the time of publication. Please check with the appropriate agency for any changes to the regulations or guidelines cited.
- Page last reviewed: January 21, 2015
- Page last updated: January 21, 2015
- Content source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
