There are three types of radiation Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. Alpha - these are fast moving helium atoms. They have high energy, typically in the MeV range, but due to their large mass, they are stopped by just a few inches of air, or a piece of paper. Beta - these are fast moving electrons. They typically have energies in the range of a few hundred keV to several MeV. Since electrons are much lighter than helium atoms, they are able to penetrate further, through several feet of air, or several millimeters of plastic. Gamma - these are photons, just like light, except of much higher energy, typically from several keV to several MeV. X-Rays and gamma rays are really the same thing, the difference is how they are produced. Depending on their energy, they can be stopped by a thin piece of aluminum foil, or they can penetrate several inches of lead. Fallout during a Nuclear or Radiation Emergency - One of the most feared consequences of a nuclear reactor accident or nuclear bomb is the release of a Radioactive Iodine plume into the environment. What makes Radioactive Iodine so dangerous is that the body cannot distinguish it from ordinary iodine. As a result, if swallowed, or inhaled, it will be absorbed into the thyroid gland and may lead to thyroid cancer, especially in children. IOSAT™ KI protects against radioactive iodine by preventing its absorption by the thyroid gland located in the neck. Thyroid cells are unique among all cells of the human body as they are the only cells which have the ability to absorb Iodine. The thyroid gland absorbs it from the bloodstream and concentrates it inside the cell to produce hormones. For radiation that is not immediately lethal, the thyroid is your body's most sensitive organ to the effects of radiation. The Radioactive Iodine is absorbed by the thyroid and can cause thyroid disease and cancer later on. Sometimes it only takes a short time if the victim is a child because a child’s thyroid is very active in helping the child to grow. FDA Approved IOSAT™ KI saturates the thyroid with stable iodine, shutting off its absorption mechanism, and it will remain off long enough for the radioactive iodine that you inhaled or ingested to to be safely dispursed through the kidneys.