Gamma Radiation Boosted Due to COVID -19

The use of gamma radiation has provided greater access to proper safety measures for hospitals and health institutions. There has been an immense shortage of PPE at many hospitals. Hospitals were unable to ensure the first responders' secure working environment. This eventually led to a major rise in gamma radiation because safe facilities were provided.

Pros & Cons

Gamma radiation gives many advantages. Firstly, it encourages medical supplies to be reused. This is highly relevant because, due to COVID-19, there is a massive scarcity of PPE in today's world. Not only does the welfare of the first responders benefit from being able to reuse such supplies, but it also saves resources. Even, gamma rays can be used in laboratories to sterilise floors and food sources. This is good because it only adds to the precautions for safety. Gamma radiation is more effective compared to X-rays. They use smaller, more accessible, inexpensive, and conveniently portable equipment.

The shorter wavelengths of gamma rays suggest that they have the highest intensity. This helps them to destroy cancer cells and other cells that are harmful. They have the greatest penetrating ability, as they have the most energy, which enables them to break down bacterial DNA and sterilise equipment.

On the other hand, they can be dangerous to the human body because gamma rays are too powerful. They can penetrate the human body, destroy bone marrow, internal organs, and alter DNA because their penetrating capacity is so strong. They are so effective that preventing them requires several inches of lead. Ironically, a high dose of gamma radiation triggers cancer-causing mutations in human cells, but dead portions of the gamma-ray will destroy cancer cells. Although the health and medicine sector will benefit from gamma radiation in certain aspects, it certainly requires PPE, so people don't get negative exposure. 

Shielding Gamma Rays And Complexity

Since gamma rays have such high penetrating strength, to avoid them, about 1.3 feet of lead is needed. This makes it incredibly hard to be properly protected for individuals who deal with gamma rays. Proper safety is essentially a life or death concern for persons who interact in or around gamma rays. They are losing their life if they don't have adequate gamma radiation shielding. Unfortunately, wearing 1.3 feet of lead is very tough. In such a large security suit, many persons find it very hard to get some job done. Finding a suit that will shield you from radioactive isotopes is very difficult, and finding a suit that will protect you safely is much more difficult.