Background Radiation and Contamination

Question 1

give examples of natural background radiation

Answer 1

• Cosmic (Sun)
• Ground / rocks
• Air - Radon

Question 2

examples of radiation due to human activity:

Answer 2

• Nuclear explosions
• nuclear waste
• medical

Question 3

what is background radiation and is it dangerous

Answer 3

• low-level radiation given off by natural and artificial sources all around us
• it is of low enough level that risk of cancer and other complication are negligible

Question 4

what is irradiation

Answer 4

• objects near a radioactive source - are **exposed*
• is not radioactive itself

Question 5

what are way of reducing irradiation

Answer 5

• keeping sources in lead-lined boxes
• standing behind barriers or being in a different room
• using remote controlled arms

Question 6

what is contamination

Answer 6

when unwanted radioactive atoms get onto or into an object

Question 7

why is contamination especially dangerous

Answer 7

• these contaminated atoms might decay - releasing radiation, causing you harm
• very dangerous inside the body

Question 8

what precautions can be taken for contamination

Answer 8

• glove and tongs when handling sources
• aviod particles getting stuck to skin or under nails
• protective suits to stop them breathing in particles - industrial workers

Question 9

what is the most dangerous types of radiation for irradiation

Answer 9

• beta
• gamma
• can penetrate to organs
• alpha wont be able to penetrate skin