Units of exposure and biological effects of ionization radiation

How do you measure something like exposure?  What unit of measure do you use to measure something like that?  Well, exposure has a unit of measure called a roentgen.  This is also abbreviated with R.  A roentgen measures the degree of ionization that a particle is able to make in air.  Now, there are three different units that a roentgen can be measured in.  One, is called the roentgen absorbed dose.  This unit measures the absorbed amount of ionization radiation.  This unit of measure is abbreviated by "rad".  Another type of measure for exposure is the "rem" or roentgen equivalent man.  This unit measures the amount of radiation that body tissue was exposed too.  This unit brings us to the third unit of measure known as the "mrem".  This unit measures the "rem"  and is also known as the millirem and it is equal to 0.001 rem.  What are some ways we are exposed to ionization radiation?  Well, things like flying in airplanes, getting an x-ray, even eating and breathing exposes you to ionization radiation.  So, what are some biological effects that can be caused due to exposure to ionization radiation?  Well, there are many, because it can be absorbed or ingested.  So, ionization radiation can cause damage to your skin, central nervous system, the blood forming system, cataracts, such as corneal burns, or retinal burns, and can cause cancer.  These were all found on the site http://www.hko.gov.hk/education/dbcp/rad_health/eng/r4.htm .  There can be things done to prevent ionization radiation exposure, like using sealants where removable contamination is present, simply using soap and water, or if it is vacuumed from the surface.  I hope this blog was helpful in providing some information about how exposure to ionization energy is measured and also how you can be exposed to it and the type of health problems it can cause.