Radiation Protection - Saraniecki Flashcards
What is ionizing radiation?
radiation capable of producing ions when interacting with matter
x rays
alpha
beta
gamma
cosmic rays
What is nonionizing radiation?
radiation that does not carry enough energy to completely remove an electron from atom or molecule
What are some nonionizing radiation sources?
UV
vis light
IR
microwaves
radio and TV
Describe alpha particles
mass?
effects?
hazards?
spectrum?
protection?
mass: large with +2 charge
effects: short range, 1mm into paper or plastic
hazards: if ingested or inhaled, 20x more dangerous than beta and gamma
not part of electromagnetic spectrum due to it having mass
protection: sunglasses, paper
Describe beta particles
mass and charge?
hazards?
ionization radiation?
protection?
small mass, charge of -1
fast moving, travels up to 2 meters in air
hazards: skin burns
not part of electromagnetic spectrum, slower than speed of light and has mass
protection: stay away from industrial devices
Describe gamma rays
ionizing?
mass?
protection?
no mass or charge, pure energy
ionizing radiation or high frequency
very penetrating
protection: time, distance, shielding
Describe x ray photons
comparative to gamma?
identical to gamma aside from less penetrating
Describe neutrons in terms of radiation
penetrates most material, causes radioactivity in tissues and materials
the most dangerous and severe radiation
Where is most neutron exposure found?
nature
cosmic neutrons collide with atmospheric nitrogen - carbon-14 absorbed by plants, we eat the plants
What are the four things that may happen when radiation strikes the skins?
pass right thru
damage cell, but cell repairs
damage cell, cell reproduces damaged version for years
kills cell
What do alpha and beta particles do in the body?
if inhaled or digested, their ionizing energy only stays in the body until excreted
What do gamma and x rays do to the body?
usually escape without damaging cells
How long does nuclear medicine stay in our body?
half life 6 hours
what is a film badge personal dosimenter?
dilm is sensitive to radiation, sent to lab for interpretation, permanent life dose because effects are accumulative
What does a direct personal radiation dosimeter do?
measures absorbed dose of ionizing radiation beta, gamma, or xray over period of time
What are the 3 R’s of Dose exposure?
REM - Roentgen Equivalent in Man - biological effects on tissues in humans
RAD - radiation absorbed dose - absorbed dose of any material, no biological effects considered
Roetngen - exposure to gamma or xrays via air
How does exposure relate to time?
time dependent
5 rem in one hour is much worse that 5 rem in 8 hours
What are the four radiation countermeasures we can take?
Potassium Iodide - protects thyroid
Prussian blue - prevents cesium and thallium reabsorption in the gut
CA-DTPA or Zn-DTPA - blood chelating agent for pt, am, ci
Neupogen - stimulates growth of white blood cells
What is radon? How does it act?
What types of damage does it inflict?
Class A carcinogen
radon emits alpha particles
cause lung cancer
physical effects - DNA struck directly by particle
chemical - ions and free radicals impact fluid around DNA
What is a Class A?
Human carcinogen
radon, polonium, benzes, asbestos, mustard gas, etc
Describe Polonium risks
male lung cancer
phosphate fertilizers cause Po-210 to accumulate on leaves, burning cigs volatilized the chemicals
Po is part of nuclear weapons triggers
What is a Class B?
Probable human carcinogen
B1-limited evidence, ex PCPs, UVA,UVB
B2-inadequate evidence ex: cholesterol, lead
How are tanning salons regulates?
integral timer with multiple times
protective eye ware
termination switch
UV warning lavel
What is Class C?
Possible human carcinogen ex: permethrins
can cause cancer in animals
What is Class D?
not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity
no evidence it causes cancer
ex: deet, frontline
What is class E?
evidence of non-carcinogenicity for humans
strong evidence it does not cause cancer
ex: Boric acid
What four bodies regulate radiation?
Nuclear Regulatory Commission - nuclear power plants
Department of Energy - military, Argon nat’l lab
EPA - recommendations in homes
OSHA - Max permissible concentrations
How is radon regulated?
all manmade Class As are regulated
has been regulated in mines since 1950
homes are not regulated
max exp recommended 4 pCi/l
OSHA 100 pCi/L
How much is a picocurrie?
one million millionth of a curie
one radioactive particle disintegration every 27 secs
What is a Becquerel per cubic meter?
1 Bq/m^3 is one disintegration per sec within a cubic meter
148 Bq/m^3 is the action level for radon
measuring the nucleus decay in given space and time
What are some radon characteristics?
collorless
odorless
tasteless
naturally occurring
inert
9X heavier than air
What is Radon?
decay product of Radium-226, which decayed from Uranium-238
present in almost all soil, rock, and water
How does air pressure affect radon exposure?
negative air pressure pulls radon from under buildings into lower part of building
