Electromagnetic Spectrum, 2

Together, these eight types of identified electromagnetic waves comprise the electromagnetic spectrum (and there could be some that research has not yet described). These waves have differing pluses and minuses for human beings. Gamma rays, X-rays, and high ultraviolet wavelengths are classified as ionizing radiation because their photons have enough energy to cause chemical reactions. Exposure to these rays can be a health hazard, believed able to cause radiation sickness, sunburns, DNA damage, and some types of cancer. Radiation from visible light wavelengths and lower are called nonionizing radiation as they do not seem to produce such undesirable effects as do short, high frequency and high-energy wavelengths.