An originally neutral atom which has become electrically charged by losing or acquiring electrons. Loss of an electron results in a positive ion (cation), and acquisition in a negative ion (anion). Compare to or see ionizing radiation, ionosphere
By M. Debacker, B. Domres, Walter Hays, J. de Boer, Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, Disaster Terminology, Glossary of New Concepts in Disaster Medicine, USA 2002, http://www.eird.org/isdr-biblio/PDF/Prehospital%20 and%20disaster%20medicine.pdf, (D/DM - Amer) {831}