4 ms·

> In order to simplify this whole nonionizing EM radiation cancer debate UV radiation is non-ionizing and causes cancer. End of debate.

• sieste 3y ago
  Specifically, UV radiation affects DNA by forming new chemical bonds in the DNA strand, creating pyrimidine dimers[1]. These can lead to mutations and, ultimately, cancer. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrimidine_dimer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrimidine_dimer
• scythe 3y ago
  A clever abuse of terms to match my own, I guess. UV generates localized molecular excited states, particularly in double bonds. The process is basically similar to ionization even though electrons are not actually ejected. These excited bonds undergo Paterno-Buchi reactions and other things that just don't happen without radiation. This is readily detectable established chemistry that occurs in particular known conditions. It's not really ionizing (steal your electron), but it generates excited molecules (that react quickly like ions do) according to similar quantum thresholds to those which govern ionization — it is almost-ionizing radiation. But RF doesn't do any cool stuff like that. The only interesting bit is that some cellular structures may be of comparable size to the wavelength. But the conductivity of tissue — even myelinated neurons — is poor. Attempts to generate non-thermal microwave effects by literally putting stuff in microwaves has mostly failed, so we are left with this mesoscale hoodoo.