Ionizing radiation's MAIN effect is ionization of material it interacts with, i.e. it breaks molecular bonds, whereas nonionizing is any other kind of radiation. The classification is not physiological, does not refer to the human tissue, but matter in general. Some non-ionizing radiation can cause ionization, but only at very high intensities, and not as its prime effect. UV, RF, MW, ELF.. is hence non-ionizing radiation
Neven Pischl ----- Original Message ----- From: Tony Firth <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2000 4:12 PM Subject: re: LVD Essential Requirement for Radiation Protection > > Patrick, > > In general terms "Non-Ionizing" refers to emissions that do not cause damage to > human tissue, (RF, Visible Light, ESD Ionization Generators, Etc.), whereas > "Ionizing" covers emissions capable of causing damage to human tissue, > presumably from gene damage, (X-Rays, High Level Beta, Gamma Radiation, Hi > intensity UV, Etc.) > > I do not know at what level e.g. a Microwave Generator would transit from being > "Non-Ionizing" to "Ionizing", although my understanding is that it is still > classified as being "Non-Ionizing". And, of course, corona discharge Ionizing > Generators, (that ionize the air around them by design), are classified as > "Non-Ionizing"! > Unfortunately do not have a precise physiological definition. > > Hope this helps. > > Tony > > Tony Firth, Elect.Eng., > Quester Technology Inc., > Fremont,CA 94539-7474 > > > > > <Patrick Lawler wrote: > <What does 'non-ioniozing emissions' cover? > <Is it in the category of personnel safety and low-frequency EMF, or > <does it encompass simple product emissions like those specified in > <CISPR 11? > > --------- > This message is coming from the emc-pstc discussion list. > To cancel your subscription, send mail to [email protected] > with the single line: "unsubscribe emc-pstc" (without the > quotes). For help, send mail to [email protected], > [email protected], [email protected], or > [email protected] (the list administrators). > > > > --------- This message is coming from the emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to [email protected] with the single line: "unsubscribe emc-pstc" (without the quotes). For help, send mail to [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected] (the list administrators).
