Microwaves

• Used for communications (including mobile phones) emit very small amounts of energy which are not known to cause any harm
• Microwave ovens, on the other hand, emit very large amounts of energy, however, that energy is prevented from escaping the oven by the metal walls and metal grid in the glass door

X-rays & Gamma Rays

• X-rays and gamma rays are the most ionising types of EM waves
  • They are able to penetrate the body and cause internal damage
  • They can cause the mutation of genes and cause cancer
  • Used to take scans of the body
    • The use is kept to a minimum. To reduce exposure the doctors step outside of the room
• Gamma rays are used in nuclear imaging
  • Basically gamma rays are used to image the internal tissues and organs to study them, they are imaged using gamma rays because they are non invasive.
• Gamma rays are used in radiotherapy.
  • Gamma rays are used in cancer treatment. Basically the gamma rays are aimed at the tumor to kill the cancerous cells.

Ultraviolet

• Ultraviolet is similar to visible light, except it is invisible to the human eye and carries a much higher energy

• If eyes are exposed to high levels of UV it can cause severe eye damage

  • Good quality sunglasses will absorb ultraviolet, preventing it from entering the eyes (like blue ray glasses)

• Ultraviolet is ionising meaning it can kill cells or cause them to malfunction, resulting in premature ageing, and diseases such as skin cancer

  • Sunscreen absorbs ultraviolet light, preventing it from damaging the skin