Uses And Dangers Of Radiation Flashcards
What is irradiation
Exposing objects to beams of radiation
What does irradiation from radioactive decay cause
Damaging of living cells
Irradiation for sterilisation
Used to preserve fruit sold in supermarkets by exposing the fruit to a radioactive source -colbalt-60
Advantages of irradiation
Sterilisation without high temperatures, can used to kill bacteria on things that would melt
Disadvantages of irradiation
May not kill all bacteria on an object, can be very harmful (can cause damaging of cells and mutation)
Contamination
Occurs if an object has a radioactive material introduced into it
Useful contamination
Water supplies contaminated with gamma emitting radioactive isotope to find leaks
Advantages of contamination
Radioactive isotopes can be used as medical and industrial travers. Use of isotopes with a short half life means exposure can be limited. Imaging processes can replace invasive surgical procedures
Disadvantages of contamination
Radioactive isotopes may not go where they’re wanted. Difficult to ensure continuation is fully removed. Exposure to radioactive materials can potentially damage healthy cells
Nuclear radiation effects on body
Can ionise chemicals within the body
Radiation effects on human bodies
Eyes- cataracts
Thyroid- radioactive iodine build up causes cancer
Lungs- damage dna
Stomach- radioactive isotopes can sit in the stomach and irradiate for along time
Reproductive organs- cause sterility or mutations
Skin- burn skin or cause cancer
Bone marrow- cause leukaemia and other blood diseases
Precautions to reduce risk of radioactive sources
Shielding when not in use, protective clothing, avoid contact with bare skin, wear face masks, limit exposure time, handle radioactive material with tongs
