ionising radiation Flashcards
what are the uses of ionising radiation in industry
- measuring the thickness of rolled metals and paper
- testing aircraft jet turbine engines
- strengthening polymers by creating cross links in molecules
- used in oil and gas exploration to test rock porosity
how is ionising radiation used in healthy care
- sterilising heat sensitive surgical equipment
- cancer treatment
x-ray photography
what are the uses of ionising radiation in agriculture
- pest control
- sterile insect pest control
- production of mutations in crop breeding programmes
what are the uses of ionising radiation in scientific research
radio labelled tracers to track movement of materials within organisms or environment
what are the uses of ionising radiation in nuclear fission and fusion
- nuclear weapons
- nuclear electricity
- ship prolusion
why is it difficult to assess the risk of using ionising radiation
- symptoms may take a long time to develop
- effects may be similar to alternative explanations so hard to identify
- accurate data on humans is often not available
- risks associated may be offset by the reduction of other risks such as risks of using x ray must be offset by reduced risk of invasive surgery
list some natural and human activities which expose us to radiation
natural = cosmic radiation, gamma waves from lithosphere, internal sources in the body, radon from the ground
human- medical exposure, occupational exposure, weapon fallout, consumer products, industrial effluent discharges
outline cosmic radiation and gamma rays from the lithosphere
1) charges sub-atomic particles are released by natural processes that occur in the sun, these particles reach earth and are absorbed releasing high energy electromagnetic radiation
2) radioactive isotopes in the lithosphere which release different types of radiation when atoms decay- only gamma waves are able to penetrate from underground to peoples skin
outline internal radiation from the body and radon from the ground
1) activation products from the upper atmosphere and radioisotopes from the ground can enter the body via food, water or inhalation which can decay in the body releasing radiation
2) when radioisotopes underground decays radiation released is absorbed by surrounding rocks when some uranium atoms decay they release a gas radio nuclei called radon which is unstable and releases alpha radiation
outline consumer products
1) smoke alarms and some camping gas mantles contain radionuclei
list the effects of ionising radiation
1) damage to the nucleus of cells- causes DNA mutations
2) damage to other parts of cells
3) somatic affects
4) gonadic effects
5) chronic effects
6) acute effects
outline the difference between somatic and gonadic effects
1) damage to general body cells and organs
2) damage to reproductive cells and organs such as the testes and ovary
what is the difference between exposure and contamination
1) involves the absorption of ionising radiation due to the individual being close enough to reach it
2) the physical carrying of radioactive materials which when they release radiation cause exposure
compare the different types of radiation
1) Alpha- easily absorbed and travels short distances, absorbed by the skin so unable to pass through into the body, if ingested its most dangerous
2) Beta- moderately easily absorbed and travels medium distances
3) Gamma rays- travel long distances and are not easily absorbed
4) neutrons- moderately distance and absorption- very dangerous as still pose a risk after absorption
what is a half life
the length of time it takes for half the original isotope to decay
