absorbed dose
Energy absorbed by the tissues considered.
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accumulated dose
Sum of the absorbed doses in a certain
time interval.
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Alzheimer disease
Severe progressive pathology of the brain. It causes brain cell loss in
specific cerebral areas inducing failures of the biochemical signal
transmission.
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ampere (A)
International System (SI) unit of measure for electric
current intensity.
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anorexia
Nervous disease in a psychological form that leads to the loss of
appetite.
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aspecific health damage
Damage that is added to damage of the same type present also in
individuals not exposed to the cause.
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benefit
Any advantage obtained with expedients or human activities. (Compared
with the entity of the cost needed to reach the
goal).
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carcinogenic
Any cause that may lead to a malignant neoformation, which is capable of
proliferating indefinitely and of attacking the invaded tissues.
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collective dose
Generally, it refers to the "collective effective dose equivalent"
which considers different sensitivity to radiations and is obtained
by multiplying the average effective dose equivalent
by the total number of persons exposed.In the
ionizing radiation field the unit used is man-Sv (man-sievert).
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conductor
Any medium capable of transfering energy or electric signals to a distance.
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cost (referring to the protection field)
Gravity of the health damage induced by actions or infrastructures.
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current density
The current
passing through the surface unit of the conductor. It is measured in
A x m -2).
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dielectric
Material with electric insulator properties.
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dielectric constant
Dielectric constant in vacuum: eta0 =
8.85 x 10 –12 farad x m-1.
Referring to a specific material, the relative dielectric constant eta is defined as dielectric constant/dielectric constant of vacuum.
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dose
General term which indicates a certain amount of radiation energy. See:
absorbed dose, collective
dose, dose equivalent,
effective dose equivalent (terms used in
radiation protection).
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dose equivalent
Absorbed dose corrected by the radiation
quality factor.
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E
Electric field vector; the force F exercised
on a charge q is F = qE.
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effect
Disturbance ascribable to a cause. An effect may be: "without any
consequences", "beneficial" or "detrimental".
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effective dose equivalent
Dose equivalent corrected by the Relative
Biological Effectiveness (RBE).
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electric dipole
A distribution of the electric charges equivalent to a spatial structure
with two equal punctiform charges q of opposite sign, separated,
by a distance. Electric dipole momentum = ql.
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electric field
Field of the electric forces surrounding an
electrified body or a moving magnet.
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Electric induction (D)
It is defined by D =
eta x eta0 x
E.
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electric potential
Work needed to transport the electric charge unit from a specific point to
infinity.
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electromagnetic field
Interdependent
electric and magnetic
fields, produced by moving electric charges.
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electromagnetic radiation
Electromagnetic
wave, or photon, of the same
nature as light. In the whole range their whole wave
length spectrum is extremely wide. In vacuum they travel at the speed of
light.
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electrosmog
Electromagnetic-non-ionizing radiation
pollution.
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ElectronVolt
Energy acquired by a particle with an elementary electric charge (1.6 x 10-19 C)
when it is accelerated by a potential difference of 1 Volt
(1 eV is approximately 1.6
x 10–19 J).
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ELF (Extremely low frequencies)
Including all the waves from "static
field" up to 300 Hz
frequencies and consequent
wave length up to many kilometers.
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energy
Possibility to do work. Its unit is the Joule. The energy of a photon
is E= hf where h stands for the
Planck costant.
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environmental impact
Set of the effects that a structure (industrial system, electrical
system, road, etc.) provokes on the surrounding environment, inducing
alterations or disturbances to single components of the entire
environmental system.
The building of large-scale structures requires a prior estimate of its environmental compatibility: VIA ( environmental impact evaluation).
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epidemiologic studies
Investigations into causes and
spread of diseases, performed by
direct observation on groups of human individuals.
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exposure
Physical values which define the energy absorption from electromagnetic
fields.
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field
Region of space where a measurable physical greatness is measurable.
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frequency (f)
In the electromagnetic fields it indicates the number of
oscillations a wave performs in a time unit. It is
measured in hertz (1Hz =1 s-1). The classification
is according to rising frequencies: ELF (extremely low frequencies, up
to 3 kHz), VF (voice-frequency) and VLF (very low frequencies from 3 to 30
kHz), LF (low frequencies, from 30 to 300 kHz), radiofrequencies
(from 300 kHz to
300 MHz) divided in MF-medium,
HF- high and VHF very high frequencies.
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gamma rays
They are of the same nature as X rays, with
higher energy and
wave length down to
picometer.
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Gauss
Unit to measure magnetic induction on the
cgs system. (1 gauss = 10-4 tesla).
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genetic damage
When the fertility cells have been affected.
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genetic mutation
Stable alteration in the nuclear DNA of a cell.
(When the modified DNA belongs to a somatic cell, the mutation is called
somatic and it disappears with the cell or tissue death to which it
belongs. While, if the alteration happens in the reproduction cells of a
fertile person, the mutation is called hereditary as it may pass to the
descendants).
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greenhouse effect
Natural phenomenon due to the sheltering effect of the atmospheric carbon
dioxide which does not allow the dispersion in space of the heat from the
earth's surface. Lately the phenomenon has been slightly amplified, pushing up the
average temperature of our planet.
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H
Magnetic field vector; in the electromagnetic wave
it is perpendicular to the E vector and to
its propagation plane.
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health damage
Noxious effect on health.
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health risk
Probability that an effect may produce dangerous sanitary effects.
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heat capacity
Heat necessary to raise of 1 degree centigrade the temperature of a
body.
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homeostasis
Active process in the living organism capable of regaining the normal
equilibrium after a perturbation.
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hormesis
Epidemiological evidence of a possible beneficial reaction to harmful
agents.
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indicator
Any parameter which allows for the simple representation of a complex phenomenon. For example, an environmental indicator derives from the observation or measurement of an environmental variable.
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indoor
Inside a building.
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industrial frequency
Frequency used for the production, distribution, and use of
electric energy (50 Hz in Europe, 60 Hz in the USA). It belongs to the ELF.
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infrared (IR)
Electromagnetic radiation with a
wave length between 800 nm and 1 mm. (Note: the
acronym IR is preferentially used to indicate the "Ionizing
Radiations").
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ion
An atom or a molecule which became electrically charged loosing or
adding electrons to its system.
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ionization
The process through which a molecule or an atom acquires electrical
charge expelling or capturing electrons.
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ionizing radiation (IR)
Any
electromagnetic radiation, and/or particle
beam, with enough energy to
ionize a water molecule at normal temperature.
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IS
International sistem of measure unit.
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justification
It indicates the necessity that each intervention be justified on the
basis of the net benefit expected and of the
consciousness that there was no better way to reach the same
purpose.
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laser
Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiations. Apparatus which
generates an intense and choerent electromagnetic beam with well defined
wave length.
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leukemia
Neoplasm interesting the white blood cells (leucocytes)
characterized by heavy anomalies in the proliferation and development of
such cells.
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linear equation
When the variables are at power 1 (direct proportionality).
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magnetic field
Field of the forces surrounding a magnet or a conductor
crossed by electrical current.
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magnetic induction (B)
It is defined as: B = mu x mu0
x H. It is also known as
magnetic field.
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magnetic permeability
In vacuum, the magnetic permeability is mu0
= B0 /H0 = 4 pigreco
x 10-7 IS unit. In a material
medium,
B = mu
x mu0 x H, where
mu indicates the specific permeability of the medium.
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membrane potential
The electric potential difference existing between the inside and
outside of the cell membrane, due to the active ion
pressing through the membrane itself.
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microwaves
Electromagnetic radiations having a
frequency between 300 MHz and 300
GHz (wave length from 1 mm to 1 m).
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multiples and submultiples of 10
The most frequent ones are ranked by 3 magnituded orders:
10-12 pico; 10-9 nano; 10-6
micro; 10-3 milli; 103 chilo; 106 mega; 109
giga; 1012 tera.
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near electromagnetic
field
The field existing inside a distance of a wave
length from the source.
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neoplasm
Also called malignant tumour and indicates the growth of anomalous
tissues which escape control by the organism's normal auto-regulation systems.
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NIR (Non-ionizing radiation)
Electromagnetic radiation where "quanta"
have not sufficient energy to ionize, in
normal environmental conditions,
the water molecole, taken as reference for the human body.
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NMR (Nuclear magnetic resonance)
Property of some atomic nuclei to absorb electromagnetic energy at
special
frequencies,
in the radiofrequencies area.
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non-thermal effect
When the absorbed energy does not modify the structures by heating
processes.
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oncogenic
Capable to induce tumour formations.
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outdoor
Outside buildings.
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photon
Elementary particle, an electromagnetic energy quantum having no mass
and no charge.
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Planck constant (h)
Fundamental quantistic constant equal to: 6.626 x 10-34 J x s.
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pollution
Alteration of the physical, chemical and biological parameters typical
of an environment, due to human activities.
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power
Energy in a time unit. It is measured in Watt (W).
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power density
Power emitted or received per surface unit: it is
measured in W x m –2.
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prudent avoidance
A form of advice against non-justified exposure
to radiations.
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radiation
Wave, or photon or particle
beam. The radiation may carry energy both in vacuum and in a material
medium.
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radiation intensity (S)
It indicates the energy going through a surface unit in a time unit. The
vector S corresponds to the product of the electric and magnetic
field vectors (S= E x
H). It is measured as: W x m-2.
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radiation protection regulation
The whole body of the rules which define conditions and the maximum exposure
limits for operators and for normal individuals.
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radiation protection recommendations
Generational suggestions for the appropriate use of radiations given by
scientific bodies recognized at international level.
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radiofrequencies
They include the electromagnetic waves from 300 kHz
to 300 MHz having
wave lenghts from 1 m to 1 km.
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radiography
Photographic technique using X rays to
highlight the body's internal structures thanks to their different opacity to the
radiation.
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radiotherapy
The use of high
ionizing radiation doses to treat pathologies due
to anomalous cells and tissues; in particolar to treat malignant neoformations.
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rays from cosmic swarms
Electromagnetic radiations formed during the interactions on the
atmospheric elements of high energy particles coming from particular
celestial bodies.
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resources optimization
To try and obtain the maximum "advantage" comparing cost and benefit .
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SAR (specific absorption rate)
The
electromagnetic energy absorbed by a biological tissue in the unit of
time and mass. It is measured in: W x kg-1.
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sinusoidal wave
Periodical
wave characterized by
frequency, f,
wave length,
lambda, and propagation velocity v = lambda x f.
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somatic
Concerning all the organism cells excluding reproduction cells.
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somatic damage
When the fertility organs are not involved.
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specific health damage
Damage for which the relation between cause and effect can be proved.
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thermal denaturation
Non reversible alteration of the molecular structure caused by
increasing temperature, typical when organic tissues are heated.
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thermal effect
Physical effect that alters the chemico-physical structure of the material
exposed (warming ..... cooking).
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tesla (T)
Measure unit for the magnetic induction. 1T=1weber x m–2,
oppure, 1T=104 Gauss.
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UV (ultraviolet)
Electromagnetic radiations with wave length between 4 and 400 nm. The IEC (International Energy Committee) recognizes various bands: UV –A from 400 to 325 nm; UV –B from 325 to 280 nm; UV –C from 280 to 100 nm; and vacuum UV - those with wave length of less than 100 nm (of little practical value since they are completely absorbed by air).
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visible light
Electromagnetic
waves perceived by the human organ of sight. They are limited to
wave lengths from 400 to 700 nm.
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Volt
Unit of measure for electric potential difference.
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Watt
Unit of measure for power, 1 W = 1 Joule. sec-1.
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wave
Oscillatory perturbation propagating in space with defined velocity.
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wave length (lambda)
Distance between two crests or two valleys of a wave (lambda = v/f
where v
indicates the propagation velocity and f the
frequency of the wave)
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X rays
Ionizing
electromagnetic radiation (photon)
produced by a radiogenerator or emitted during the internal energetic
rearrangement of an atom. They go with increasing energies from the UV
rays up to
nanometer wave length.
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