Irradiation and contamination Flashcards
Irradiation
Exposing an object to nuclear radiation
Uses of irradiation
When sterilising an object eg medical equipment if you can’t heat it to remove the bacteria
How does irradiation to sterilise work?
Place the object in plastic wrapper to prevent additional bacteria
Place a radioactive isotope producing gamma rays nearby
Surround this in lead to protect workers
The gamma rays remove bacteria and sterilise it
Does irradiation cause the object to become radioactive?
No, because the object comes into contact with the radiation NOT the radioactive source (isotope)
How can we stop exposure to radiation?
Gloves if dealing with alpha
Lead apron of dealing with low amounts of beta/gamma
Lead screen if dealing with high amounts of gamma
What does a radiation monitor do?
Detects amount of radiation in an area
Doesn’t stop radiation but means we can prevent any incidents
Radioactive contamination
When unwanted radioactive isotopes end up on other materials
Why is radioactive contamination bad?
The radioactive isotopes decay and emit radiation, potentially causing mutations in our skin DNA
How different types of radiation react on the skin surface
Alpha = although strongly ionising,
Beta = penetrate into the skin easier and damage cells
Gamma = can easily pass through the skin and damage cells, but could also just go straight through you
How different types of radiation react inside your body
Alpha = very dangerous, easily absorbed by cells due to high ionisation
Beta and gamma = not that dangerous as not easily absorbed by cells due to low ionisation
Background radiation
There is slight radiation everywhere around us all the time
Not that damaging since very low doses
Why does a Geiger muller tube still detect radiation even when not pointed at a radioactive source?
Because of background radiation around us
Natural sources of radiation
Naturally occurring objects that give off radiation
Examples of natural radioactive sources
Rocks eg granite
Cosmic rays eg supernovas - high energy particles that travel through space and collide with Earth’s atmosphere
Man made sources of radiation
Things humans have created that give off radiation in the background
