Editing Carcinogen (section)

=== Ionizing Radiation ===
[[CERCLA]] identifies all [[radionuclide]]s as carcinogens, although the nature of the emitted [[Radioactive decay|radiation]] ([[alpha particle|alpha]], [[beta particle|beta]], [[gamma ray|gamma]], or [[Neutron radiation|neutron]] and the radioactive strength), its consequent capacity to cause [[ionization]] in tissues, and the magnitude of radiation exposure, determine the potential hazard. Carcinogenicity of radiation depends on the type of radiation, type of exposure, and penetration. For example, [[alpha particle|alpha radiation]] has low penetration and is not a hazard outside the body, but emitters are carcinogenic when inhaled or ingested.  For example, [[Thorotrast]], a (incidentally radioactive) [[suspension (chemistry)|suspension]] previously used as a [[Radiocontrast|contrast]] medium in [[x-ray]] diagnostics, is a potent human carcinogen known because of its retention within various [[organ (biology)|organs]] and persistent emission of alpha particles.  Low-level ionizing radiation may induce irreparable DNA damage (leading to replicational and transcriptional errors needed for neoplasia or may trigger viral interactions) leading to pre-mature aging and [[cancer]].<ref>{{cite conference | vauthors = Acharya PV | title = The effect of ionizing radiation on the formation of age-correlated oligo deoxyribo nucleo phospheryl peptides in mammalian cells. | conference = 10th International Congress of Gerontology | location = Jerusalem | date = January 1975 }}</ref><ref>{{cite conference | vauthors = Acharya PV | title = Implications of The Action of Low-Level Ionizing Radiation on the Inducement of Irreparable DNA Damage Leading to Mammalian Aging and Chemical Carcinogenesis. | conference = 10th International Congress of Biochemistry | location = Hamburg, Germany | date = July 1976 }}</ref><ref>{{cite conference | vauthors = Acharya PV | title = Irreparable DNA-Damage by Industrial Pollutants in Pre-mature Aging, Chemical Carcinogenesis, and Cardiac Hypertrophy: Experiments and Theory | conference = 1st International Meeting of Heads of Clinical Biochemistry Laboratories | location = Jerusalem, Israel | date = April 1977 }}</ref>