What is the difference between ionizing and nonionizing

Take a look at the chart below to get a good visual of the different types of electronics that emit ionizing and non-ionzing radiation. Although it does not always produce heat, ionizing radiation can still effect and damage the body. Ionizing radiation is extremely harmful, and can cause all types of cancer, heart issues, brain issues and much more.

Although acute exposure to ionizing radiation is much less common, individuals who have been exposed are likely to have significant health issues. Simple, more obvious examples of non-ionizing radiation causing damage would be burning of the retinas from sunlight, skin cancer from long-term exposure to the sun, or premature aging. What is less obvious, is the significant health impacts of EMF radiation from things like your cell phone, including cancer, heart disease, headaches, and symptoms such as:.

Check out my full post on symptoms of EMF radiation. This near UV light, along with the light that you see during the day, microwaves, radio waves, EMF radiation and radio frequencies are all great examples of non-ionizing radiation.

So in short, most of the UV light that you would come in contact with is non-ionizing, but ionizing UV radiation does exist. While non-ionizing electromagnetic radiations may not cause cancer, exposure to it in high enough doses can still have potential adverse effects. It is important to control exposure to ionizing electromagnetic radiation sources as it can increase your risks of a chronic disease or life-threatening cancer.

While the effects of exposure to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation carry less dire consequences, it is important to understand that exposure to high levels of this type of energy can also be harmful.

Search for:. Let's talk. Is Radiation Harmful? Ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation Ionizing radiation is the type of radiation with the highest frequencies and shortest wavelengths. Non-ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation Non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation refers to that part of the energy spectrum that does not carry enough energy to dissociate an electron from an atom or molecule.

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter. Tags empire state building. Read more. We are exposed to low levels of non-ionizing radiation every day. Exposure to intense, direct amounts of non-ionizing radiation may result in damage to tissue due to heat.

This is not common and mainly of concern in the workplace for those who work on large sources of non-ionizing radiation devices and instruments. For more information on exposure to non-ionizing radiation in the workplace, click here. Ultraviolet UV radiation is a natural part of solar radiation, and is released by black lights, tanning beds, and electric arc lighting.

Normal everyday levels of UV radiation can be helpful, and produce vitamin D. Too much UV radiation can cause skin burns, premature aging of the skin, eye damage, and skin cancer.

The majority of skin cancers are caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Tanning through the use of tanning beds and tanning devices exposes the consumer to UV radiation. Exposure to tanning beds and tanning devices also increases the chance of developing skin cancer.

For more information on UV radiation and your health, click here. Intense, direct exposure to radiofrequency RF or microwave radiation may result in damage to tissue due to heat.

These more significant exposures could occur from industrial devices in the workplace. WHO — Ultraviolet Radiation external icon. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.

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