RADIATION

LEARNING OUTCOME

Apply basic principles of Occupational hygiene to anticipate,

recognize, evaluate and control radiation exposures in the
work environment
 Content to be covered

 Different types of radiation

 Radiation sources
 Health effects of radiation exposure
 Mitigation measures
 There is so much misinformation about radiation

We learned about radiation and its effects watching Sci Fi movies and TV shows
 Incredible Hulk, mutation caused by radiation
 Spiderman, bitten by a radioactive spider
 Godzilla, mutated from a weapon test
 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, from radioactive waste
 and many others……\

Unfortunately, lots of people think this is all true….

 and of course, Mr. Spock of Star Trek, after all his exciting adventures across the
universe, died of radiation exposure
 What is Radiation

Any energy transmitted in the form of waves or particles

through a vacuum(empty space) or matter containing media

Transmitted in the form of Energy called electromagnetic

waves (EMW) or high-speed particles called photons

Radiation may be defined as energy traveling through space.

Where does Radiation come from?

Atoms are composed of particles

• Nucleus:
• protons with positive (+) charge
• neutrons with no charge

• Outer shell:
• electrons with negative (-) charge
Where does Radiation come from? (cont’d)

Neutrons act like to glue to hold nucleus

together

 Protons don’t want to stay together

 There are about equal numbers of

protons and neutrons in nucleus

 If the numbers are out of balance,

then the nucleus is unstable
 Types of Radiation

Ionizing Non-Ionizing
Units of Radiation
 WHAT ARE RADIATION EXPOSURE PATHWAYS?

Exposure pathway
The way a person can be
exposed to ionizing
radiation

Internal (inside our bodies): Inhalation:

breathing in dust or fumes that are radioactive
(including cigarette smoke).

Internal: Ingestion:
consuming radionuclides
which are
in or on our food or
drink.
 Ionizing radiation (high energy)

Ionizing radiation has sufficient energy that it can damage

DNA as it passes through the tissues of the body.
 Sources of ionizing radiation

Radioactive substances
X ray machines
Nuclear reactors
Nuclear weapons
Sun
Naturally present in environment: soil and rocks

What is a radioactive substance?

Five types of ionizing radiation

Alpha particles

Beta particles

Gamma rays

X-rays

Neutrons
Radiation treatment and x-rays are examples of ionizing radiation.
What Happens to the Radiation Emitted?

Source: OpenClipArt
 Type of ionizing How it travels and penetrates How it delivers dose to the body
radiation
Alpha particles (α) Alpha particles cannot penetrate most other Radioactive material that emits alpha
materials. A piece of paper, the dead outer particles can be very harmful to living cells
layers of skin, or even a few inches of air are when alpha particles are inhaled, ingested, or
sufficient to stop alpha particles. absorbed into the blood stream (e.g., through
a cut in or area of non-intact skin).
Beta particles (β) Beta particles can travel up to several feet in Some beta particles are capable of
the air. Beta particles can be stopped by some penetrating the skin and causing radiation
plastics, aluminum, or a block of wood. Beta damage, such as skin burns. Beta particles
particles should never be shielded with lead are most harmful to living cells when they
or other high atomic number shields, which are inhaled or ingested.
could result in X-rays being released.
Gamma rays (γ) and Gamma rays and X-rays are very penetrating Gamma rays and X-rays can easily pass
X-rays and can travel great distances. Lead or completely through the human body;
(electromagnetic concrete is able to reduce the intensity of however, a fraction of the energy can be
radiation) gamma rays and X-rays. absorbed by tissue and can damage living
cells.
Neutron particles Neutrons have an exceptional ability to Neutrons can contribute significantly to
penetrate materials. Hydrogen-containing radiation dose.
materials (concrete or water) are best for
shielding neutrons.
 Radiation sickness occurs
after exposure to a very
high dose of radiation. It
normally leads to death.

Exposure to a moderate
Effects of Ionizing radiation; dose can lead to radiation
tumors.

Other effects are changes in

the hereditary material
(DNA) like infertility,
malformation of the unborn
child and cancer.
 Non-ionizing radiation (low energy)
 Is electromagnetic radiation with a lower frequency.
 Non-ionizing radiation is all around us and comes from both natural and human-
made sources.
 There are different types;
 UV : eg. Welding arcs, lasers, …
 Visible light : lamps, welding arcs, lasers, …
 Infrared : heat lamps, electrical heaters, welding process, …
 Radio waves : heating, signal transfer, plastic sealing, …
 Microwaves : electromagnetic waves
 High exposure levels can heat up the body tissue.
 Prolonged exposure to low levels could cause health damage, depending on the
wavelength, the energy content and the depth of the penetration, like
inflammations of the eye, skin burns, tumors or melanomas and reduced fertility
 Examples of Non-ionizing radiation

Infrared Radiation (IR) The skin and eyes absorb infrared radiation (IR) as heat. Workers normally notice excessive
exposure through heat sensation and pain. Sources of IR radiation include furnaces, heat
lamps, and IR lasers.

Visible Light Radiation The different visible frequencies of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum are "seen" by our
eyes as different colors. Good lighting is conducive to increased production, and may help
prevent incidents related to poor lighting conditions. Excessive visible radiation can
damage the eyes and skin.

Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) Ultraviolet radiation (UV) has a high photon energy range and is particularly hazardous
because there are usually no immediate symptoms of excessive exposure. Sources of UV
radiation include the sun, black lights, welding arcs, and UV lasers.

Radiofrequency and Microwave Radi Microwave radiation (MW) is absorbed near the skin, while Radiofrequency (RF) radiation
ation may be absorbed throughout the body. At high enough intensities both will damage tissue
through heating. Sources of RF and MW radiation include radio emitters and cell phones.

Extremely Low Frequency Radiation Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) radiation at 60 HZ is produced by power lines, electrical
(ELF) wiring, and electrical equipment. Common sources of intense exposure include ELF
induction furnaces and high-voltage power lines
 Radiation Exposure : Acute vs. Chronic

Acute Exposures
— One-time event
— High level doses involved (>100 rem)
— Symptoms appear rapidly (within days or weeks)
— Symptoms include radiation burns usual result of exposure to direct or primary X-ray beam. Hands, fingers
and eyes are most commonly at risk. High-energy X-rays readily penetrate the outer layer of scan and can
damage nerve endings; thus, you may not feel the effects until the damage is already done.

Chronic Exposures
— exposure over a long period of time
— low level doses involved
— Effects will appear slowly because the body has time to heal itself after exposure. Thus effects, if
any, will manifest on a longer time scale (~20-30 years).
— Long term effects include higher instances of cancer and cataract formation.
Acute radio dermatitis
Chronic radiation dermatitis
 How is Ionizing radiation detected?

Invisible
Odourless
Cannot be detected by human senses

Geiger counter
Handheld device
Widely used for detection of IR
Detects alpha, beta particles and gamma rays
Mechanism ?
Ionization occurs in the geiger muller tube
 Radiation Protection

Time, Distance, and Shielding

 ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable)

It is a guiding principle in radiation protection used to eliminate radiation doses that have no direct benefit.
The risk of adverse health effects (e.g. cancer) can be minimized by minimizing your occupational radiation
dose
The guiding principles of ALARA are summarized below:

 Time — Reduce the amount of time of exposure near a source of radiation. Plan to work efficiently near
sources.
 Distance — Maximize the distance of human tissues away from radiation sources as intensity drops with
distance from the source.
 Shielding — Ensure that there is adequate shielding between you and any radiation sources.
 Dosimetry— Use radiation monitors where required.
 Radiation Protection measures
Controls Examples
Engineering Shielding
Interlock Is a device that automatically shuts off or reduces the radiation emission rate from
Systems radiation-producing equipment (gamma or X-ray equipment or accelerator). The
purpose of a radiation safety interlock system is to prevent worker exposure and
injury from high radiation levels.

Administrative signage, warning to prevent, reduce, or eliminate radiation exposure. Operating procedures typically
systems, and include both normal operating
written operating
procedures
Personal Lead aprons or is used to prevent workers from becoming contaminated with radioactive material. It
Protective vests. can be used to prevent skin contamination with particulate radiation and prevent
Equipment Lead gloves. inhalation of radioactive materials.
Safety goggles PPE will not protect workers from direct, external radiation exposure (e.g.,
Respirators standing in an X-ray field), unless the PPE contains shielding material. For example,
a leaded apron will reduce X-ray doses to covered areas.
 Risk Assessment
Must be made prior to commencing any new work involving exposure to radiation.

Identify hazards
Who could be harmed
Evaluate risks
Record findings
Review / revise
 The units used to measure exposure to radiation

When people are exposed to radiation, the energy of the radiation is deposited in the body.
As this absorption takes place, the tissue of your body may be damaged by the penetration
and conversion of the radiation energy. Since absorption of radiation can damage tissue, a
way to measure that damage and ensure that it is kept to a minimum is necessary.
Absorbed Dose — the amount of energy of ionizing radiation absorbed per unit mass by a
body, often measured in rad or Gray (Gy).
Effective Dose — The tissue-weighted sum of the equivalent doses in all specified tissues
and organs of the human body and represents the stochastic health risk to the whole body,
which is the probability of cancer induction and genetic effects, of low levels of ionizing
radiation. Dose equivalent measured in rem or Sievert (Sv).