If a person was exposed to radiation 20 years ago, does it wear off gradually over time, or does the amount stay the same in your system over the years. Thank you.
2007-01-05 08:36:07 · 5 answers · asked by sky 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Radiation doesn't stick around in the body. It does its damage and passes through or gets absorbed. This assumes that you haven't swallowed radioactive material that might stay in the organs and bones.
2007-01-05 08:38:33 · answer #1 · answered by Gene 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there's a couple of parts to your question. For the most part though, radiation doesnt hang around long, and does its damage right at the exposure.
Beta and Gamma radiation will either pass or kill you pretty quickly.
Alpha Particle radiation is what most people would have to worry about. An example of this would be dust from the fallout of a nuke explosion. While the aplha particles are 'relatively' harmless to you externally, they are much more destructive to your internal organs if inhaled or ingested. If this happens, and the radiation isnt enought to kill you, then your body may pass the particles by sweat or other means, or else absorb it. Keep in mind that most radioactive particles have decay though, so the radiation eventually decays into other elements.
2007-01-05 09:07:00 · answer #2 · answered by xooxcable 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it should be about 90% gone by now
2007-01-05 08:38:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
(S)He could get cancer from it even decades afterwards, if that's what you mean.
2007-01-05 10:16:38 · answer #4 · answered by anonymous 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it stays the same...
2007-01-05 08:38:17 · answer #5 · answered by The Annoying Thing 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋