Radiation Safety
Cesium 137 - It is used to calibrate radiation
Human Use of Uranium - 79 AD
Radium Effects Confirmed - 1925
Definitions
Radiation - Energy in Motion
Radioactivity - Spontaneous emission of
radiation from the nucleus of an unstable
atom.
Isotope - Atoms with the same number of
protons, but different number of neutrons.
Radioisotope - Unstable isotope of an
element that decays or disintegrates
spontaneously, emitting radiation.
Ionization - Formation of a charged and
reactive atom
Ionization Radiation - Occurs from the
addition or removal of electrons from neutral
atom
Radiation Shielding - Significantly reduces
radiation effects
Inverse Square Law - Doubling distance from
source, decrease dose by factor of four
Radioactivity - Rate of Decay / Potential to
Decay
- Measured by Roentgens
Curie(Ci) - 1 gram of radium disintegrates
3.7 x 10^10 disintegration / seconds (dps)
Becquerel (Bq) - 1dps
1mCi = 37 MBq
Absorbed Dose - Energy Deposited by any
form of ionization in a unit mass of material
1 Gray (Gy) = 100 rad (Roentgen Absorbed
Dose)
Dose Equivalent - Scale for equating relative
hazards of various types of ionization in
terms of equivalent risk
rem = Q (risk of biological injury) x rad
1 Sv (Sievert) = 100rem
detection equipment
Cobalt 60 - Tracer for cobalt in chemical
reactions, sterilization of medical equipments
Types of Radiation
1. Non - Ionizing Radiation - Radiation that
does not have sufficient energy to dislodge
orbital electrons.
Ex. Microwaves, UV light, lasers, radio
waves, infrared lights, and radar.
2. Ionizing Radiation - Radiation that has
sufficient energy to dislodge orbital electrons
Ex. Alpha Particles, Beta Particles, Neutrons,
Gamma rays, and X rays
Terrestrial Radiation
Greatest contributor is Radium with
Significant levels also from Uranium,
Thorium, and Potassium
Igneous Rocks - Highest Concentration
Fly ash from coal burning plants contains
more radiation that of nuclear or oil fired
plants
Comes from radioactivity emitting from
Primordial radio nuclides
Common Radio nuclides
Radioactive Potassium - Found in bananas
Radioactive Rubidium - Found in brazil nuts
Consumer Products and Radioactive
Materials
TV sets - low energy x rays
Smoke detectors
Treatment of agricultural products
Radioactive Sources Gas Filled Detectors

X Rays Proportional Counter

Cosmic Rays Ion Chambers
Radon Geiger-Mueller Counters
Each Other
Biological Effects of Radiation
Nuclear Power
Food and Drink Deposit energy in Body
Terrestrial Radiation Cause DNA damage
Radioactive Waste Create ionization in Body
Consumer Products
Solar Radiation Radio sensitivity Theory
Nuclear Medicine Cells are radiosensitive if they;
Sea Level - 30 mrem/year Have high division rate
10,000 ft Altitude - 140 mrem/year Have a long dividing future
Are of an unspecialized type
Four main types of Ionizing radiation
Whole Body Effects
Alpha
Beta Acute or Nonstochastic - Occur when the
Gamma radiation dose is large enough to cause
Neutron extensive biological damage to cells so that
large numbers of cells die off.
ALARA - As Low As Reasonably Achieved Late or Stochastic(Delayed) - Genetic,
Somatic, Teratogenic
Common Units

Radioactivity
Exposure
Absorbed Dose
Dose Equivalent

Annual Radiation Exposure Limits

Whole Body = 5rem / 5000mrem

Any organ = 50rem / 50,000mrem
Eye = 15rem / 15,000mrem
Skin = 50rem / 50,000mrem
Pregnant Worker = 0.5rem / 500mrem