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EPR-Public Communications L-02. Communicating Basics of Radiation. Simple. Challenge. Communicating with the public about radiation is challenging; Communicate in plain language; You will communicate better with people if you can think as they are thinking. Sources.
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EPR-Public CommunicationsL-02 Communicating Basics of Radiation
Challenge • Communicating with the public about radiation is challenging; • Communicate in plain language; • You will communicate better with people if you can think as they are thinking.
Sources • Radiation is naturally present in the environment. This is called natural background radiation; • People are exposed to natural radiation from outer space, the air, food and drink; • People may also be exposed to artificial radiation from medical treatment, consumer products and occupational exposure; • Often, medical exposures from diagnosis and in treatment account for the largest dose from artificial sources. Cosmic radiation and dose rates of exposure
Inadvertent ingestion Exposure pathways
Effects of radiation • Deterministic: short term, occurring early after exposure; • Stochastic: long term, occurring years later.
Recognizing a radiation source Trefoil radiation warning symbol New standard ionizing radiation warning supplementary symbol
Radiation protection • Time • Distance • Shielding
Am I safe? In addition to dose and dose rate quantities the following questions must be answered: • What was measured or reported? • How was the person exposed (exposure scenario)? • Who was exposed?
Potential health effects • Death; • Severe health effects (severe deterministic effects): • Severe burns; • Other non-fatal effects. • Health effects to foetus; • Cancer risk.
Health effects from being near an unshielded radioactive source
Health effects from carrying an unshielded radioactive source
Health effects from being near an unshielded radioactive source
Let’s practice • Some questions…