1st Edition

Radiation Injury Prevention and Mitigation in Humans

By Kedar Prasad Copyright 2012
    302 Pages 14 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    302 Pages 14 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    With an estimated 3.3 billion ionizing radiation imaging examinations performed worldwide each year, the growing use of x-ray-based diagnostic procedures raises concerns about long-term health risks, especially cancer. In addition, rapid growth in the number of nuclear power plants around the world increases the risk of a nuclear accident similar to that of Fukushima, Japan. Add to this, exposure to non-ionizing radiation from prolonged cell phone use, proton radiation from solar flares, and potential nuclear conflict or a dirty bomb attack, and the need to expand our repertoire of radiation prevention and mitigation strategies becomes increasingly urgent.

    Radiation Injury Prevention and Mitigation in Humans identifies and examines physical protection strategies as well as non-toxic, cost-effective biological protection strategies. This includes agents that—when administered orally before and/or after irradiation exposures—could be effective in preventing and mitigating acute radiation damage. The book discusses implementing physical and biological protection strategies particularly for first responders, radiation workers, astronauts, and civilians who might be exposed to higher doses of radiation in the course of their activities. The book describes:

    • Physics of ionizing radiation and radiological weapons, principles of nuclear reactors, the types of radiological weapons, and consequences of their explosions
    • Acute and late health effects of high and low doses of radiation
    • The efficacy of FDA-approved and unapproved radioprotective and radiation mitigating agents
    • The efficacy of radioprotective and radiation mitigating agents not requiring FDA approval (antioxidants and herbs)
    • Scientific data and rationale in support of using micronutrient preparations containing dietary and endogenous antioxidants for preventing acute radiation sickness and for mitigating the late adverse health effects among survivors of high and low doses of radiation

    Examining cutting-edge advances in the research of the effects of non-ionizing radiation on cellular and genetic levels, the book proposes an implementation plan of both physical and biological protection strategies. It covers the full range of potential sources of radiation and includes an up-to-date list of helpful resources and references for the latest research and readings on the topic.

    Growing Health Concerns with Respect to Low Doses of Ionizing Radiation: Can We Prevent and/or Mitigate Them?
    Introduction
    Prevention of Radiation Injuries
    Mitigation of Radiation Injuries
    The Concept of a Bioshield against Radiation Damage
    Summary

    Physics of Radiological Weapons and Nuclear Reactors
    Introduction
    Structure of an Atom
    Isotopes
    Radioactivity
    Interactions of Radiation with Matter
    Nuclear Fission
    Nuclear Fusion
    Physics of Nuclear Reactors
    Nuclear Accidents
    Summary
    References

    Acute Radiation Damage by High Doses of Ionizing Radiation in Humans
    Introduction
    Radiation-Induced Free Radicals
    Concept of Radiosensitivity of Cells
    Cellular Radiobiology
    Biochemical Changes
    Radiation Syndromes
    Acute Radiation Sickness (ARS) in Accidently Exposed Individuals
    Damage to Organ Systems
    Genetic Basis of Radiation Response in Vitro and in Vivo
    Mutations and Chromosomal Damage
    Cellular Immune Response to Ionizing Radiation
    Radiation Effects on Fetus
    Radiation Effects on Embryos during Preimplantation of Zygotes
    Radiation Effects on Embryos after Implantation of Zygotes
    Radiation Effects on Embryos during Organogenesis
    Radiation Effects on the Eye of Embryos
    Radiation Effects on the Gonads of Embryos
    Identification of a Novel Mechanism of Action of Radiation
    Summary
    References

    Long-Term Damages among Survivors of High Doses of Ionizing Radiation
    Introduction
    Spontaneous Cancer Incidence, Mortality, and Cost
    Study of Carcinogenesis in Experimental Models (Tissue Culture and Animals
    Proposed Stages of Carcinogenesis
    Effect of Interaction between Radiation and Chemicals on Carcinogenesis
    Radiation-Induced Cancer Incidence in Humans
    Incidence of Radiation-Induced Cancer in Humans
    Late Effects of High-Doses of Radiation on the Risk of Non-Neoplastic Diseases
    Summary
    References

    Prevention and Mitigation of Acute Radiation Sickness (ARS)
    Introduction
    Definition of Radioprotective and Radiation Mitigating Agents
    Concept of a Bioshield against Radiation Damage
    Prevention of ARS by Radioprotective Agents
    Factors to be Considered in the Study of Radioprotective Agents
    Radioprotective Pharmacological Agents
    Radioprotective Pharmacological Agents Not Approved by the FDA
    Radioprotective Drugs Approved by the FDA for Other Indications in Humans
    Radioprotective Herbal Extracts Not Requiring FDA Approval
    Limitations of Using Most Identified Radioprotective Agents for Prevention of ARS in Humans
    Radioprotective Dietary and Endogenous Antioxidants Not Requiring FDA Approval
    Scientific Rationale for Using Multiple Antioxidants
    Scientific Rationale for Utilizing Oral Route of Administration
    Scientific Rationale for Administering Multiple Antioxidants before and after Irradiation
    Animal Studies to Demonstrate the Radioprotective Efficacy of a Mixture of Multiple Dietary and Endogenous Antioxidants Administered Orally before and/or after Irradiation
    Proposed Recommendation for Using BioShield-R2 in Combination with Standard Therapy for Prevention of ARS in Humans
    Mitigation of ARS
    Drugs and Biologics Approved by the FDA
    Drugs and Biologics Not Approved by the FDA
    Radioprotective Dietary and Endogenous Antioxidants Not Requiring Approval by the FDA
    Potential Candidates for an Ideal Bioshield against ARS
    Proposed Recommendations for Using a Micronutrient Preparation (BioShield-R3) in Combination with Standard Therapy for Mitigating ARS in Humans
    Summary
    References

    Prevention and Mitigation of Late Adverse Effects of High Radiation Doses
    Introduction
    Studies on the Role of Antioxidants in Cancer Prevention
    Properties of Antioxidants Relevant to Cancer Prevention
    Cancer Prevention Studies with Antioxidants
    Cancer Risk after Treatment with Multiple Dietary Antioxidants
    Cancer Risk after Treatment with Vitamin D and Calcium
    Cancer Risk after Treatment with Folate and B Vitamins
    Cancer Risk after Treatment with Fat and Fiber
    Essential Factors for an Effective Cancer Prevention Strategy
    Proposed Cancer Prevention Strategy for Radiation-Exposed Populations
    Safety of Micronutrients in BioShield-R2
    BioShield-R2 and the Risk of Nonneoplastic Diseases
    Summary
    References

    Health Risks of Low Doses of Ionizing Radiation
    Introduction
    Sources of Background Radiation
    Diagnostic Radiation Procedures
    Radiation Workers
    Consequences of Exposure to Low Doses of Radiation
    Models Used for Risk Estimates of Radiation-Induced Cancer
    Cancer Risks in Populations Exposed to Diagnostic Radiation Procedures
    Cancer Risk among Radiation Workers
    Cancer Risk in Military and Civilian Pilots and Flight Attendants
    Cancer Risk among Frequent Flyers
    Risk of Low-Dose Radiation-Induced Nonneoplastic Diseases
    Summary
    References

    Prevention and Mitigation against Radiological Weapons and Nuclear Plant Accidents
    Introduction
    Current Preventive Recommendations to Reduce Radiation Doses after Explosion of a Dirty Bomb or a Nuclear Power Plant Accident
    Proposed Preventive Biological Radiation Protection Strategy after Explosion of a Dirty Bomb or a Nuclear Power Plant Accident
    Current and Proposed Preventive Recommendations to Reduce Radiation Doses after Explosion of an Atom Bomb
    Current and Proposed Mitigation Strategy to Reduce Damage after Irradiation with Low or High Doses of Radiation
    Use of BioShield-R2 and Bioshield-R3
    Summary
    References

    Prevention and Mitigation of Damage after Low Radiation Doses
    Introduction
    Application of the Concept of a Bioshield for Prevention of Radiation Damage
    BioShield-R1 for Individuals Receiving Diagnostic Radiation Procedures and Frequent Flyers
    BioShield-R2 for Radiation Workers and Crews of Commercial and Military Aircraft
    Summary
    References

    Implementation Plans for Prevention and Mitigation of Radiation Injury
    Introduction
    Radiation Protection Strategies
    Implementation Plans for Radiation Protection Strategies
    Educational Programs on the Effects of Ionizing Radiation Exercises and Drills
    Stockpiling of Radiation Preventive and Mitigating Agents for Biological Protection
    Responsible Agencies for Stockpiling Radiation Preventive and Mitigating Agents
    Summary

    Health Risks of Nonionizing Radiation and Their Prevention and Mitigation
    Introduction
    Ultraviolet Radiation
    Biological Effects of UV Radiation
    Mechanisms of UV Radiation–Induced Damage
    Protection against UV Radiation–Induced Damage to the Skin
    Other Forms of Electromagnetic Radiation
    Cell Phones
    Mechanisms of Cell Phone–Induced Damage and Its Protection by Antioxidants
    Infrared Radiation (IR)
    Biological Effects of Infrared Radiation
    Effect of Magnetic Field
    Summary
    References

    Index

    Biography

    Dr. Kedar N. Prasad obtained a master’s degree in zoology from the University of Bihar, Ranchi, India, and a PhD in radiation biology from the University of Iowa, Iowa City, in 1963. He received postdoctoral training at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, Long Island, New York, and joined the Department of Radiology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, where he became a professor and director for the Center for Vitamins and Cancer Research.

    Dr. Prasad has published over 200 articles in peer-reviewed journals, and authored and edited 15 books in the areas of radiation biology, nutrition and cancer, and nutrition and neurological diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. These articles were published in highly prestigious journals such as Science, Nature, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in the United States. Dr. Prasad has received many honors, including an invitation by the Nobel Prize Committee to nominate a candidate for the Nobel Prize in Medicine for 1982; the 1999 Harold Harper Lecture at the meeting of the American College of Advancement in Medicine; and an award for the best review of 1998–1999 on antioxidants and cancer and 1999–2000 on antioxidants and Parkinson’s disease by the American College of Nutrition.

    Dr. Prasad is a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition and served as president of the International Society of Nutrition and Cancer, 1992–2000. He belongs to several professional societies, such as the American Association for Cancer Research and the Radiation Research Society. Currently, he is chief scientific officer of the Premier Micronutrient Corporation.