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Show 2 Signpost Tuesday, May 20, 1986 Immune system jeopardized by radiation absorption by Penny RowLee Staff Reporter Low levels of radiation endanger the second line of defense against disease, thewhite blood cells, said Dr. Darrell J. Graff, professor of zoology. Victims of the Chernobyl nuclear fire may find themselves more vulnerable to communicable diseases. "These victims will become more vulnerable to disease causing organisms i , v " .... 4 . I 4 - . , ' : - i v ''N . t-- -f! . 1 " V t -s,. . - . .. . - IU " S i ', v ' Studying with comfort Signpost photoOscar Sosa A student relaxes with his homework after class. Taco Burger J99 Sm. Drink & reg. fries Family Nite Every Wednesday 5-8 pm Crisp Tacos Meat or Bean Burritos (Crisp or Soft) Enchilada Supreme, Crustos 50 Valid at All Ogden & Roy Taco Times Offer Expires May 25, 1986 'mmmmw mm Editor-in-Chief Rae Dawn Olbert Managing Editor Chris J. Miller News Editor Loretta Park Ass't News Editor JaNae Barlow Sports Editor Mike Coe Ass't Sports Editor Dave Allison Entertainment Editor Leona Vandre Copy Editors Linda Nimori Ann Stevenson Photo Editor Rory Easley Chief Photographer Scott Miller Photographers Jeff Bybee Oscar Sosa Chris Loftus Graphic Artist Steve Thorpe Advisor Larry Stahle Publisher Randolph J. Scott Ass't Business Manager Advertising Agent Production Managers Production Staff Staff Reporters Emilie Bean Bob George Emilie Bean Jeannine Anderson Shawn Sturgeon Cheryl Watson LeAnn Parker Jay Watts Don Karmondy Ilene Wangsgard Mike Buck Jared Preisler Cathe Guptill Robert Potts Dan A. Taylor Brian Growcock Tanja Schaffer David Bird Doug Burch Jana Chesley Mikel Bowman Dana Hanson Penny RowLee Mike Tupa Matthew Madsen Debra Ann Moss Janet Bassett Jeanne Chadey Kathryn Ward Lynn Soltys Ann Dolan such as those that cause the common cold or flu. Normally our immune system is able to destroy those microorganism. The radiation knocks out the capability to ward off infection. This is the same sort of situation as AIDS victims, the immune system is jepordized," said Graff. Radiation can cause a change to take place in the genetic materials of a cell. If radiation strikes a cell at exactly the right moment it alters it, this is what is commonly called radiation sickness. Radiation is measured in units called rads 300-400 rads are usually lethal for humans. "This destroys the white blood cells and interferes with the bodies immune abilities. Bone marrow transplants are not effective for this group," Graff said. "The body can recover from small amounts of radiation," said Graff. Dr. Robert Gale from UCLA went to Russia and assisted in bone marrow transplants of approximately 35 victims of Chernobyl. It is not known to what extent this will be successful. Exposure to thousands of rads affects other areas of the body. The lining tissue of the intestinal tract is literally destroyed. This produces symptoms similar to cholera, internal bleeding hemorrhaging, and failure of the blood to clot. Death results in a matter of days. Even higher doses of radiation affects the nervous system and death occurs within seconds. There are some chemicals that can be taken to give some protection for low level radiation. Vitamin E is one of these and there is also a chemical in eggs that helps give protection. Many people in Chernobyl and elsewhere have been consuming large quantities of iodine. This prevents the body from absorbing iodine that is radioactive. Small amounts of radiation have been detected in Utah. At Weber State "one day with a collection of rainwater off the roof a small trace of iodine was present," said Graff. "Other attempts to find it in the air and in additional rainwater samples has been unsuccessful," he said. "There have been many people suffering ill effects from taking too much iodine and it is not necessary in our area. (See RADIATION on page 9) OPEN' hour Thursday, May 22 10:30 am Convocations Dr. Henry Kiss ii-.ger 1973 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Former U.S. Secretary of state Austad Auditorium ASWSC Sponsored Event Film "Caves : Dark Wilderness" U.B. Lobby School & Departmental Activities Department of Technology Bruce Ed wards, ASID "The Process of Creativity" Wildcat Theatre 3 Sponsored By |