Ionizing radiation is a type of energy released by atoms in the form of electromagnetic radiation (gamma rays or X-rays) or particles (alpha and beta particles or neutrons).
This is a product of the spontaneous disintegration of atoms, where the surplus energy emitted is a form of ionizing radiation.
In this context, people are exposed daily to ionizing radiation, both of natural origin (for example radon emanating from rocks and soil or cosmic rays that go through the Earth) or human, as for example by the generation of nuclear energy or for the medical use of radiation for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
In the latter case, the most common artificial sources of ionizing radiation are medical devices, such as X-ray machines.
In this regard, it should be noted that X-rays are dangerous, because they contain enough energy to trigger mutations in organs and tissues and cause cancer (the damage caused depends on the dose received or absorbed). That is why people who undergo X-rays should be exposed to a brief burst of this radiation to capture the image on a photographic film, as well as avoid taking very large areas of the body and the staff that works with them must be protected wearing a lead apron and be placed behind a thick concrete wall as these materials prevent these rays from passing.
