Radiation exposure can change the course of a person’s life. It can impact virtually every part of a person’s health and well-being, causing injury and fatalities with just a limited amount of exposure. Radiation exposure caused by explosions can be particularly damaging as it can spread over a wide area, impacting many people to various degrees.

If you were injured or exposed to radiation caused by an explosion, it is critical that you take action to protect yourself. Turn to medical experts and a local Houston chemical plant explosion attorney to guide you through this process of fair recovery.

What Is Radiation Exposure Caused by Explosions?

In the event of an explosion, chemicals can disperse into the air, causing injury to others. Radiation can cause the same type of injury. Explosions in which radiation occurs, such as nuclear explosions, release an incredible amount of radiation into the atmosphere. Those within the immediate area can suffer serious injury from the exposure, as well as potential long-term impacts.

Various types of radiation exposure can occur. This includes radiation such as gamma rays or ionizing radiation. No matter what type of radiation occurs, it can cause:

• Immediate injury and loss: This may include tissue damage and organ failure, especially in high doses of dangerous radiation
• Residual radiation: If radiation is not properly removed after an explosion, it can linger in the atmosphere and environment, slowing the radiation poisoning of those in the area.

Many people suffer from acute radiation syndrome after an explosion like this. This condition occurs because of high doses of radiation exposure. Those large doses of ionizing radiation can create havoc on your body by reducing the production of blood cells. They also damage the respiratory and digestive tract, cause damage to the cardiovascular system, impact brain tissue, and cause significant damage to the skin. Over time, these substances can increase the risk of cancers, genetic defects in offspring, and loss of life.

Where Radiation Comes From

There are some types of radiation present in everyday life including those sources from the cosmic and solar rays or radioactive elements found on earth. Additionally, there are manmade forms of radiation used in medical image testing, such as the use of x-rays or CTs. Radiation treatments are also applied as a treatment for some forms of cancer.

Those who are exposed to these types of radiation may face a heightened risk of injury. In the event of an explosion, such as a piece of radiation-creating equipment failing to work properly, the risk of serious injury to workers and those nearby is very high.

In situations where you may have been involved in an explosion where radioactive materials were present, the risk of serious and ongoing injury is very high. Your losses could include:

• Significant medical bills
• Ongoing medical care and disease treatment
• Disfigurement
• Amputation
• Cognitive function decline
• Death

The severity of radiation exposure caused by explosions is critical to recognize. If you were exposed, and even if you felt okay after, you could still be facing disease development over time. Working with a skilled doctor routinely is important. If someone else caused this explosion to occur, seek the help of a personal injury attorney who can fight for you to gain the compensation owed to you. That could help support your ongoing care needs.