One type of nuclear radiation thatapplies practically to all types of waves and particles now known to science, and types of alpha radiation. The source of this phenomenon is a natural or artificially created (induced) radioactivity. That kind of radioactivity, which is initialized and proceeds spontaneously, is called natural radioactivity and its "participants" are nuclei with an unstable internal bond between the elementary particles of the nucleus. For example, the nuclei of such radioactive elements as radium or uranium-235 are capable of spontaneously separating alpha, beta, and gamma particles. Correspondingly, the types of nuclear radiation are distinguished: alpha radiation, beta radiation and gamma radiation.
As studies have shown, alpha particles arerelatively harmless to the human body, because, having a sufficiently high speed, they nevertheless have a relatively small penetrating ability. This can not be said about other types of particles - positrons, electrons, beta particles, which have a much greater energy potential, and therefore a greater penetrating power. Being high-frequency rays, gamma particles, have a very high penetrating power and are life threatening.
In a word, alpha radiation is a kind ofionizing radiation, which is a spontaneous or directed flow of positively charged particles that have a high velocity and have a significant energy potential.
Based on current knowledge inthis area of atomic energy, the main sources of alpha radiation are radioactive isotopes of substances that have the property of decay due to the weakness of atomic bonds and emitting alpha particles in the process of this decay.
As already noted, the main propertyalpha-radiation, distinguishing them from other types of nuclear radiation, is their rather small penetrating power. This effect is explained by the fact that the particles have a high velocity, and therefore they overcome the ionization path very rapidly. Along the path of "following" alpha particles are able to create a significant number of ions, which, in turn, form a high ionization density.
The presence of a significant ionization densityDetermines the biological efficiency of alpha radiation, which is about ten times greater than that observed with X-ray radiation. Such an effect on the human body is manifested in the fact that due to the high running speed, burns can occur on its surface. If alpha particles enter the body, for example, through the mouth or open wounds, then they are carried throughout the human body by the flow of blood. In this case, internal irradiation occurs.
This effect allows the use of alpha radiation in the treatment of various diseases during the procedures of so-called alpha therapy.
The physico-chemical nature of the alpha phenomenonradiation consists in the fact that ions formed during the passage of alpha particles, very quickly use their energy potential, after which these ions are converted into the most ordinary helium atoms. Thus, we can talk about the occurrence of radiochemical reactions in the biological tissues of the human body. These reactions make it possible to use alpha radiation for medical purposes, because the isotopes radon, thoron formed in its course have a short period of life and can not do much harm to the body while observing established safe doses and other precautions.
The main procedures for conductingAlpha therapy is the appointment of radon baths, the imposition of alpha-radioactive compresses on the affected parts of the body, the use of radon water, the inhalation of radon-enriched air.
These procedures have a positive effect on the state of the nervous and cardiovascular system, have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Well-known centers where the alpha therapy is actively used for medicinal purposes are the resorts of Pyatigorsk, Tskhaltubo, Brambach and other places in which there are natural radon sources.
