We are going to look at irradiation and contamination in this section. Irradiation is when an object is exposed to radiation that is emitted from a radioactive material. Contamination is when an object comes into contact with a radioactive source and radioactive atoms get onto or into an object.
Irradiation
Irradiation is when an object is exposed to radiation that is emitted from a radioactive material. The radiation that an object could be exposed to could be alpha, beta or gamma. Objects that are exposed to irradiation do not become radioactive. We can prevent irradiation by:
Irradiation is when an object is exposed to radiation that is emitted from a radioactive material. The radiation that an object could be exposed to could be alpha, beta or gamma. Objects that are exposed to irradiation do not become radioactive. We can prevent irradiation by:
- Keeping sources that emit radiation in a lead-lined box because the lead box will prevent radiation from getting out.
- Standing behind a barrier when using radioactive substances.
- Controlling the radioactive substances from a different room – in nuclear power stations, the controls for the reactors are in a control room that is far away from the radioactive substances in the reactors.
- Wear a protective suit
Contamination
Contamination is when an object comes into contact with a radioactive source and radioactive atoms get onto or into an object. For example, if I was to touch a radioactive source without wearing gloves, my hands would become contaminated. These contaminated radioactive atoms that are now on my hands may decay, which would release radiation, and this could cause me harm. This is why we should always be very careful when handling radioactive substances. We would usually wear gloves and use tongs when handling the radioactive substances to prevent contamination. Sometimes we would even wear a radioactive suit to protect our whole body and maybe even breathing equipment to prevent us breathing in any of the radioactive substances.
Contamination is when an object comes into contact with a radioactive source and radioactive atoms get onto or into an object. For example, if I was to touch a radioactive source without wearing gloves, my hands would become contaminated. These contaminated radioactive atoms that are now on my hands may decay, which would release radiation, and this could cause me harm. This is why we should always be very careful when handling radioactive substances. We would usually wear gloves and use tongs when handling the radioactive substances to prevent contamination. Sometimes we would even wear a radioactive suit to protect our whole body and maybe even breathing equipment to prevent us breathing in any of the radioactive substances.
The Severity of Irradiation and Contamination
The Severity of irradiation and contamination depends on the type of radiation emitted by the radioactive substance and where the radiation is.
Outside the Body
If the radioactive substance is outside the body, then beta and gamma radiation are the most dangerous sources of radiation. This is because beta and gamma radiation are able to penetrate the body and reach organs/ tissue where they can cause damage
Alpha radiation is less dangerous outside the body because it is stopped by skin and only has a range of a few centimetres in air.
Inside the Body
Inside the body, alpha radiation is the most dangerous. This is because alpha radiation has a very short range and therefore does all of its damage in a localised area. This means that contamination with a radioactive substance that emits a lot of alpha radiation is very dangerous if it is inside the body (which would happen if I swallowed a radioactive substance).
Beta radiation inside the body is less damaging compared to alpha. This is because beta radiation has an effect over a wider area.
The least damaging radiation type inside the body is gamma radiation and this is because gamma radiation tends to pass through stuff rather than collide with it (gamma is the least ionising). This means that most of the gamma radiation will pass straight out of the body and not cause too much damage.
The Severity of irradiation and contamination depends on the type of radiation emitted by the radioactive substance and where the radiation is.
Outside the Body
If the radioactive substance is outside the body, then beta and gamma radiation are the most dangerous sources of radiation. This is because beta and gamma radiation are able to penetrate the body and reach organs/ tissue where they can cause damage
Alpha radiation is less dangerous outside the body because it is stopped by skin and only has a range of a few centimetres in air.
Inside the Body
Inside the body, alpha radiation is the most dangerous. This is because alpha radiation has a very short range and therefore does all of its damage in a localised area. This means that contamination with a radioactive substance that emits a lot of alpha radiation is very dangerous if it is inside the body (which would happen if I swallowed a radioactive substance).
Beta radiation inside the body is less damaging compared to alpha. This is because beta radiation has an effect over a wider area.
The least damaging radiation type inside the body is gamma radiation and this is because gamma radiation tends to pass through stuff rather than collide with it (gamma is the least ionising). This means that most of the gamma radiation will pass straight out of the body and not cause too much damage.
Studies about the Effect of Radiation
It is important that any beneficial findings from studies into the effects of radiation on humans should be published and peered reviewed. We can then make any changes/ improvements in safety protocols when using radioactive substances.
It is important that any beneficial findings from studies into the effects of radiation on humans should be published and peered reviewed. We can then make any changes/ improvements in safety protocols when using radioactive substances.