The ATSDR toxicological profile succinctly characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects information for the hazardous substance described here. Each peer-reviewed profile identifies and reviews the key literature that describes a hazardous substance's toxicologic properties. Other pertinent literature is also presented, but is described in less detail than the key studies. The complete list of topics covered (chapter titles) is shown at the left and in more detail further down this page.

The focus of the profile is on health and toxicologic information. Therefore, each profile begins with a Public Health Statement that summarizes in nontechnical language, a substance's relevant properties.

A useful two page information sheet, the ToxFAQs™, is also available.

In order to access the ATSDR toxicological profiles' PDF files below, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader .

You may download that program for free from this link to Adobe    and then use it to access (open) the files below that are labeled as PDF files.

The table of contents and list of individual PDF files are given below. The whole profile in one large PDF file is here: 6.2MB

Foreword
Quick reference for health care providers
Contributors
Peer review
Contents
List of figures
List of tables

1.1 What is ionizing radiation?
1.2 How does radioactive material enter and spread
through the environment?
1.3 How might I be exposed to it?
1.4 How can it enter and leave my body?
1.5 How can it affect my health?
1.6 How can it affect children?
1.7 How can families reduce the risk of exposure to it?
1.8 Is there a medical test to determine whether I have
been exposed to it?
1.9 What recommendations has the federal government
made to protect human health?
1.10 Where can I get more information?

2.1 Introduction
2.2 History, background information, and scientific principles
of ionizing radiation
2.3 Fundamentals of ionizing radiation dosimetry
2.4 Biological effects of radiation
2.5 Measuring internal and external sources of ionizing radiation
2.6 Conclusions
2.7 Other sources of information

3.1 Introduction
3.2 Health effects from exposure to ionizing radiation
3.3 Identification of data needs
3.4 Conclusions

4.1 Palomares, Spain
4.2 Goiania, Brazil
4.3 Thule, Greenland
4.4 Rocky Flats, Colorado
4.5 Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania
4.6 Chernobyl, Ukraine
4.7 Kyshtym
4.8 Windscale, UK
4.9 Tomsk
4.10 Lost industrial or medical sources
4.11 Identification of data needs
4.12 Conclusions
4.13 Other sources of information

5.1 Introduction
5.2 Evidence of the effects on DNA
5.3 Interactions of ionizing radiation with DNA
5.4 Effects on other cellular macromolecules
5.5 Mechanisms of carcinogenesis
5.6 Identification of data needs
5.7 Summary

6.1 Overview
6.2 Cosmic radiation exposure
6.3 Terrestrial radiation exposure
6.4 Natural internal exposure
6.5 X-ray and nuclear medicine exposures
6.6 Exposure from consumer sources
6.7 Exposure from other sources
6.8 Adequacy of the database
6.9 Conclusions

A. ATSDR Minimal risk levels and worksheets
B. User’s guide
C. Acronyms, abbreviations, and symbols
D. Index

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 1999. Toxicological profile for ionizing radiation. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.

All ATSDR toxicological profile PDF files are electronic conversions from paper copy or other electronic ASCII text files. This conversion may have resulted in character translation or format errors. Users are referred to the original paper copy of the toxicological profile for the official text, figures, and tables. Original paper copies can be obtained via the directions on the toxicological profile home page, which also contains other important information about the profiles.

ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns.

For more information, contact:

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
FAX:   (770)-488-4178
Email: ATSDRIC@cdc.gov