Radiation Exposure Overview
VA offers health registry exams, health care, disability compensation and other benefits to eligible Veterans. Their dependents and survivors also may be eligible for benefits. Radiation can affect the body in a number of ways. Depending on the radiation levels, the health effects may start shortly after an exposure or may not be apparent for many years. These can range from mild effects, such as skin reddening, to serious effects such as cancer and death. The type and severity of health effects depend on: the amount of radiation absorbed by the body (the dose); the type of radiation; how you were exposed to radiation; and length of exposure to radiation.
Radiation Exposure Symptoms
Short-term health effects of radiation exposure and contamination include Acute Radiation Syndrome and Cutaneous Radiation Injury.
Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) is a radiation sickness that can happen when you are exposed to very high levels of radiation, usually over a short period of time. Symptoms of ARS may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Diarrhea
Cutaneous Radiation Injury (CRI) happens when exposure to a large dose of radiation causes injury to the skin. Symptoms of CRI can appear from a few hours to several days after exposure. Early signs and symptoms of CRI include:
- Itchiness
- Tingling
- Skin redness (erythema)
- Swelling caused by a buildup of fluid (edema)
- Over time, other symptoms may develop depending on the site of the injury and the level of radiation dose to which the skin was exposed.
Radiation Exposure Risks
For Veterans who participated in a radiation-risk activity during service, VA assumes that certain cancers are related to their exposure. We call these “presumptive diseases.”
- Cancers of the bile ducts, bone, brain, breast, colon, esophagus, gall bladder, liver (primary site, but not if cirrhosis or hepatitis B is indicated), lung (including bronchiolo-alveolar cancer), pancreas, pharynx, ovary, salivary gland, small intestine, stomach, thyroid, urinary tract (kidney/renal, pelvis, urinary bladder, and urethra)
- Leukemia (except chronic lymphocytic leukemia)
- Lymphomas (except Hodgkin’s disease)
- Multiple myeloma (cancer of plasma cells)
Complications for specific groups
A developing fetus is the most susceptible to health effects from radiation exposure. Follow protective action instructions and seek medical attention after a radiation emergency as soon as it is safe. Groups most at risk are:
- Infants
- Children
- Older adults
- Pregnant women
- People with weaker immune systems
Radiation Exposure Treatment
Veterans who were exposed to ionizing radiation during military service may be eligible for:
Ionizing Radiation Registry health exam, a free exam for possible long-term health problems related to ionizing radiation exposure. You don’t need to be enrolled in VA health care to take part.
Treatment for Internal Contamination
During a radiological or nuclear emergency, radioactive materials may be released into the air and then breathed into the lungs. They may also get into the body through open wounds. Radioactive materials can also contaminate the local food supply and water and get into the body through eating or drinking. This is called internal contamination. Removing internal contamination from the body will help reduce the risk for health effects. Small amounts of internal contamination may not need treatment. Some medical treatments are available for limiting or removing internal contamination depending on the type of radioactive material involved. These treatments include the following:
- Potassium iodide (KI)
- Prussian blue
- DTPA (Diethylenetriamine pentaacetate)
Treatment for Radiation Exposure
During a radiation emergency, a person who is exposed to a very high dose of radiation over a very short time may experience bone marrow suppression. Bone marrow suppression means the marrow produces less blood cells. Bone marrow suppression occurs with Acute Radiation Syndrome. Medications that speed up blood cell production, including Neupogen, may help the body heal and protect from infections. Medical professionals will determine if treatments are needed.
- Neupogen: General Information for the Public
- Neupogen: General Information for Clinicians
Other Resources and Support
What to Do in Radiation Emergencies