Radiation

Ionising Radiation
 Ionising Radiation
Alpha Radiation
Beta Radiation
Gamma Rays
X-Rays
Neutrons
 Alpha Radiation
Very short range
Stooped by air, paper or skin
Not a hazard outside the body
A concern when inside the body –
cause intense local ionisation and
biological damage
 Beta Radiation
Longer range than Alpha
Low energy beta radiation does not
penetrate the skin, whereas high
energy beta can penetrate soft tissue to
a depth of over one cm.
Beta inside the body is a concern, but
less intense than alpha
 Gamma & X-Rays
Both electromagnetic radiation
Gamma radiation is emitted continuously by
radioactive decay
X-rays are generated in special electrical
equipment by bombarding a target with electrons
Consequently, an x-ray beam only exists when
machine is on, whereas gamma rays are emitted
continuously
Penetrating power of electromagnetic radiation
depends on its energy and the properties of the
matter through which it passes
X-rays are able to pass through the human body,
but gamma and x-rays can be stopped by lead
shielding
 Neutrons
Emitted during certain nuclear
processes such as nuclear fission
Great penetrating power
Produce ionisation directly and can
cause great harm as they pass through
the body
 Ionising Radiation
Health Effects
Nausea and vomiting
Reduction in bodies defences
Reddening of skin
Loss of weight & hair
Blistering and ulceration of skin
Cataracts
Cancer
Genetic defects (affects subsequent generations)
 Measurement
Ionising radiation is measured in sieverts
(Sv)
Sv include a weighting factor to take into
account differing biological effects of alpha,
beta, gamma and neutron radiation
Exposure is controlled by dose limitation,
which is based on the premise that for
conditions having no safe threshold,
exposure is reduced to a level where
probability of harm is small
 Detection
Film badges (personal)
Ionisation chamber (similar to geiger
counter)
Personal air samplers
Analysis of faecal and urine samples
 Protection
Based on 3 principles:
 Shielding
 Distance
 Reduced time exposure

Shielding is best method as it reduces

risk positively. Distance and reduced
time exposure are administrative
controls which require considerable
supervisory control
 Shielding
Use of a dense medium to intercept
radiation e.g. lead
Particulate radiation can be completely
stopped
Electromagnetic radiation can be
sufficiently absorbed so that emergent
radiation has a reduced risk level
 Distance Protection
The intensity of all radiation is reduced
by distance travelled
Reduction is inversely proportional to
the square of the distance
Reduced Time Exposure
Reduces exposure time and therefore
reduces the accumulated dose
Workplace Examples of
Ionising Radiation
Hospital x-ray equipment
Gamma rays are used for non-
destructive testing of welds
Nuclear power generation
Non-Ionising Radiation
Non-Ionising Radiation
Does not have sufficient energy to
cause ionisation in matter and can be
classified into:
 Ultra Violet
 Infra Red
 Microwaves
 Radio waves
 Lasers
 Ultraviolet Radiation
Produced by electric discharge tubes, electric
arc welding and the sun
Can produce reddening, ageing or cancer of
the skin
Can produce arc eye which causes pain and
an aversion to bright light
Controls:
 Protection for face and eyes
 Screens
 Non-reflective surfaces
 Interlocks
 Infra-Red Radiation
Produced by hot bodies
Can cause reddening of skin, burns and
cataracts
Controls:
 Distance
 Eye protection

 Reflective clothing
 Microwave Radiation
Harm is caused by heating
Can cause burns
Controls:
 Enclosure in metal structure with
interlocked access doors
 Radio Waves
Used for heating purposes
Severe burns can occur by contact
 Lasers
Can destroy tissue
Reflected laser radiation is as
hazardous as direct rays
Classed from Class 1 (safest) to 2, 3a,
3b and 4 (most harmful)
Controls:
 Fixed shielding
 Eye protection
Workplace Examples of
Non-Ionising Radiation
Electric arc welding (UV)
High temperatures and hot surfaces in
a furnace (Infra-red)
Telecommunication (microwaves)
Heating units for particular industrial
purposes (Radio waves)
Precision cutting (Lasers)