Background Radiation And Contamination

Question 1

What is background radiation?

Answer 1

It is the low level radiation that’s all around us all the time.

Question 2

Where does radioactivity come from?

Answer 2

Comes from naturally unstable isotopes, in the air, food, buildings, rocks.
Comes from space from cosmic rays. Mostly from the sun. The atmosphere protects us mostly
Due to human activity , this is very small

Question 3

What is the absorbed radiation dose?

Answer 3

The amount of energy your body absorbs depending on where you live and your job

Question 4

What is irradiation?

Answer 4

It is something that is near a radioactive source, it is irradiated by the source.
It doesn’t make it radioactive .

Question 5

How do you keep people safe from radioactive sources?

Answer 5

By putting sources in lead lined sources
Behind bars
Being in a different room
Remote controlled arms
Use photographic film badges to monitor the exposure.

Question 6

What is contamination?

Answer 6

Is is the unwanted radioactive source getting onto an object .

The contaminating atoms might then decay releasing radiation causing harm.

Gloves and tongs should be used to avoid contamination and protective suits to stop breathing in particles.

Question 7

What damage can radiation cause ?

Answer 7

Radiation can ionise atoms and cells , leading to tissue damage
Lower doses causes mutant cells resulting in cancer
Higher doses just kill cells causing radiation sickness.
This is why hospitals limit the amount of staff

Question 8

What type of radiation is the most dangerous?

Answer 8

Outside the Body gamma and beta radiation are the most dangerous because they can penetrate skin and get to organs .
Alpha can’t penetrate skin

Inside the Boyd alpha sources are the most dangerous as they are strongly ionising , and most of the damage is in a localised area, that means contamination rather irradiation is a huge concern when using alpha particles