Nuclear Power Plant Injuries

Like all power plants, there are likely to be injuries, both minor and severe, in nuclear plants. In addition to minor cuts, bumps, and scrapes, nuclear power plants expose their workers to the threat of radiation injuries. Many precautions are taken to ensure that minimal radiation exposure occurs but it is nearly impossible to ensure that a worker will never be exposed to any radiation.

Radiation injuries are injuries to various tissues in the body caused by exposure to radiation. This exposure can be through natural radiation, X-rays, and even the sun. For power plant workers, they work in areas that are constantly being bombarded by nuclear particles. This, through no one’s direct actions, sometimes allows radiation to escape into the surrounding areas.

Individuals that are exposed to radiation are likely to be exposed to particulate radiation. Elements that are radioactive give off radiation in sprays of subatomic particles. When damage occurs, the extent of the damage is measured in units of ionizing radiation called the Gray (GY) and the sievert (Sv).

Damage from radiation can be very mild to extremely severe. The extent of damage depends on a variety of factors such as the kind of radiation, the proximity to the source of the radiation, and the duration of the exposure. Mild cases produce results that are no more serious than a mild sunburn. The most serious cases of radiation injuries can lead to death within hours.

The damage done to a cell is done because radiation destroys various chemicals within a cell. The cell then loses its ability to function as a normal cell and then eventually dies. The cells located in tissues that grow rapidly are more sensitive to radiation than are slower cells. For example, bone marrow cells and white blood cells reproduce rapidly and are extremely sensitive to radiation.

Contact a Charleston Workers Compensation Attorney

If you have been injured through exposure to radiation at work, contact the Charleston workers compensation lawyers of the Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800.