Temple Doctor Explains Dangers Of Radiation Exposure
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - One of the greatest dangers the people of Japan face now is exposure to radiation as nuclear reactors there are in danger of melting down.
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Temple University Hospital's Radiation Oncology Director, Dr. Curtis Miyamoto explains what impact radiation has on the human body.
"Radiation affects most of the cells that are reproducing rapidly -- your gastrointestinal tract, your bone marrow cell. Another effect is on our genetic make-up, birth defects," he said.
If someone is exposed to low doses of radiation, they may not feel any effects at all but the higher the dose, the greater the effect on the body including gastrointestinal issues and mouth sores.
"Once someone is exposed there is not a lot that anyone can do. The best advice I would have for a person like that is to get it out of their system as fast as possible," Dr. Miyamoto says the best way to do that is to drink as much fluid you they can.
But once a person's bone marrow is attacked by the radiation, a bone marrow transplant is indicated. Dr. Miyamoto hopes Japanese officials will be able to prevent the terrible effects similar to those seen at Chernobyl.
Reported by Michelle Durham, KYW Newsradio
