Medical Physics 2 - Radiation protection Flashcards
What is radiation?
Radiation is energy. It can be transmitted in waves or as particles.
Name some natural sources of ionising radiation
- Cosmic Radiation
2. Food E.g. bananas
What is ionisation?
A type of incoming radiation that has enough energy to cause an electron to be ejected
What are the 3 different types of ionising radiation?
- Alpha
- Beta
- Gamma and x rays
Name some manmade sources of ionising radiation
- Medical like x rays, therapy nuclear medicine
2. Nuclear atmospheric tests
What is the average total radiation dose per person in the uk?
2.7mSv
Name the 4 different radiation units
- Absorbed dose
- Equivalent dose
- Dose-rate
- Effective dose
What is the absorbed dose?
Energy absorbed per unit mass from any type of ionising radiation
What is the absorbed dose measured in?
Gray(Gy)= J/Kg
What do we use the absorbed dose for?
What is the equivalent dose?
To specify the amount of radiation dose entering the skin surface
What is the equivalent dose?
Dose showing the damage causing capability of radiation
What is the equivalent dose red rived from?
The absorbed dose but also takes the radiation weighting facto into account for the type of radiation
How do we calculate the equivalent dose?
The absorbed dose x radiation factor
Why don’t we use the absorbed dose to judge the damage that radiation causes?
Because it does not distinguish the way in which energy is deposited in matter
Ie Alpha particles deposit energy in a very short distance whereas X-rays deposit energy over an extended path
What is the photon weighting factor?
1
What is the equivalent dose of X-rays and gamma rays?
The weighting factor & equivalent dose of x-rays & gamma rays are the same
So 1
What does the effective dose give us an idea of?
gives an idea on the effectiveness on radiation in causing damage to human tissue
What is the effective dose derived from?
Derived from the equivalent dose but takes into account the tissue weighting fact that adjust for radiosensitivity of different tissues
How duo we calculate the effective dose?
Total equivalent dose x the tissue weighting factor
What do the majority of people think about the dangers associated with radiographs?
The effect of radiation is roughly proportional to the dose received, so all radiation doses are potentially harmful
What is the dose rate and what do we use it for?
How quickly we accumulate a dose
We use it more for looking at doses in the environment or doses over time
Which of the 4 radiation units do we use to judge radiation risk?
Effective dose
Give some examples of how we use radiation to saves lives?
- Radiotherapy
- Early diagnosis
- Sterilisation of Blood products, Foodstuffs and Dressings
How can radiation cause harm?
It can cause:
- Cancer
- Cataracts
- Skin darkening / burns
- Hair falling out
- Sterility