Since the explosions at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, people have become increasingly concerned about the possible health risks of radioactivity. As we worry about the damage to living things, we should see how serious radiation exposure really is.

Radioactivity is kind of radio wave which is a powerful energy formed by the decay of elements that have a heavy atomic weight. Radioactivity is very dangerous to the human body if you are exposed to it, causing critical problems. The medical world has reported on the harmful effects of radioactivity. The WHO (World Health Organization) claims that 1 sievert (Sv, equal to 100 rem) radiation which irradiates the whole body can cause damage to the bone marrow, which creates blood cells. At more than 10 Sv, damage can occur in the bone marrow, heart, stomach and other organs. According to the WHO, people are naturally irradiated with about 1 millisievert (mSv) per year.

The Korean government says Korea is safe from radiation caused by Japan’s nuclear crisis. But some students have been worrying about exposure to radiation. So we have confirmed the radioactivity of Changwon. The radioactivity figure of Changwon is 110 mSv. As previously stated, 1 Sv (=1000 mSv) or more is harmful to the human body. So, 110 mSv is a safe level, and this means CWNU’s students are safe!

Lastly, the level of naturally occurring radioactivity in the natural environment is approximately 50 to 300 mSv.

by Lee Jung-eun, Cub-reporter

Lee Jung-eun  veevvzzv@naver.com

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