The effects depend upon many circumstances, including whether the exposure is internal or external, there is a single dose or a chronic exposure, and the radiation level. Some radiation effects have been observed at levels comparable to DU s radioactivity, including gene induction and chromosomal aberrations. Professor William F. Morgan, Director of the Radiation Oncology Research Laboratory at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, gave an interesting presentation on bystander effects of radiation. Irradiated cells excrete a substance into the medium that surrounds them. Thus, bystander, non-irradiated cells can suffer damage from the excretion of cells damaged by radiation.
Physical dosimetry is the monitoring of individuals for radiation exposure.
Biodosimetry is the detection of radiation-induced damage to evaluate radiation exposure and health risks. Advances in technology have greatly increased the ability to detect both radiation and radiation-induced damage. The military and private industry plan to develop backpack laboratories which soldiers could use to rapidly assess radiation and radiation-induced damage. A variety of approaches to preventing and treating radiation-induced injury were discussed. Some of these drugs may cause serious side effects.