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Module 1 Introduction to Radiation

Module 1 Introduction to Radiation. Introduction to Radiation. Terminal Objective: DEFINE the fundamentals of radiation, radioactive material, ionization, ionizing radiation, and contamination. Enabling Objectives. LIST the three basic components of an atom.

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Module 1 Introduction to Radiation

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  1. Module 1Introduction to Radiation

  2. Introduction to Radiation Terminal Objective: DEFINE the fundamentals of radiation, radioactive material, ionization, ionizing radiation, and contamination.

  3. Enabling Objectives • LIST the three basic components of an atom. • DESCRIBE the differences between ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation. • DEFINE radioactivity.

  4. Enabling Objectives • STATE the four basic types of ionizing radiation. • DESCRIBE the shielding materials and biological hazards for each of the four types of ionizing radiation. • LIST the three techniques for minimizing exposure to radiation and radioactive material (ALARA).

  5. Why should we be interested? • Knowledge is good • Natural plutonium incident Eastern Wa. • The dreaded what if • Federal Govt. thinks it’s a good idea

  6. Radiation Basics Video

  7. Parts of an Atom • Protons • Neutrons • Electrons

  8. Stable and Unstable Atoms • An atom with too many or too few neutrons contains excess energy and is not stable. • Unstable atoms give off excess energy (radiation). • Unstable atoms are radioactive.

  9. Ionization Radiation Removing electrons from atoms or molecules

  10. Ionizing Radiation Excess energy (from unstable atoms), capable of removing electrons from an atom Radiation

  11. Ionizing Non-ionizing Non-Ionizing Radiation

  12. Radioactivity Radioactivity is the process of unstable (radioactive) atoms trying to become stable by emitting ionizing energy.

  13. Radioactive Material Radioactive Material Material containing unstable (radioactive) atoms Radioactive Contamination Radioactive material in an unwanted place

  14. “Radiological” vs. “Nuclear” “Radiological” deals with radiation or material that emits radiation. Example Radiological WMD: “Dirty Bomb” “Nuclear” refers to processes that involve splitting a nucleus (fission) or combining nuclei of atoms (fusion). Example Nuclear WMD: atomic bomb

  15. Measuring Radiation • Radiation Dose • Radiation energy absorbed by the human body • Dose is measured in units of rem. • A millirem (mrem) is one thousandth of a rem.

  16. Measuring Radiation • Radiation Dose Rate • Radiation energy received over a period of time • Radiation dose rate is dose per time • mrem per hour = mrem/hr “strength” of radiation at a location

  17. Types of Ionizing Radiation

  18. Types of Ionizing Radiation • Alpha radiation • Beta radiation • Gamma rays/X-rays • Neutron radiation Some radioactive materials may emit more than one kind of radiation

  19. Alpha Radiation • Range: 1 to 2 inches • Shielding: Paper, Cloth, Dead Layer of Skin

  20. Alpha Radiation (continued) Biological Hazard • Not an external radiation hazard • Easily stopped by the dead layer of skin • Internal hazard – If material is inside the body, then the alpha radiation reaches live cells.

  21. Alpha Radiation(continued) Sources • Uranium (nuclear power plant fuel and nuclear weapons) • Plutonium (nuclear weapons) • Americium (smoke detectors) • Thorium (high-temperature metals)

  22. Beta Radiation • Range: about 10 feet • Shielding: Thick Clothing, ¼ Inch Aluminum, ¼ Inch Plastic

  23. Beta Radiation (continued) Biological Hazard • External hazard to skin and eyes • Internal hazard if the material that emits the beta radiation is inside the body. Then beta radiation can deposit energy in a small area of body tissue.

  24. Beta Radiation (continued) Sources • Used nuclear reactor fuel • Nuclear weapons fallout (strontium) • Some industrial radioactive sources such as cesium • Tritium in glow-in-the-dark EXIT signs, watch dials, and night-sights on firearms • Radioactive nickel in chemical agent detectors

  25. Gamma Rays/X-Rays • Range: Hundreds of feet • Shielding: Inch of Lead, 3 Inches of Steel, 6 inches Concrete, 1 foot of Dirt

  26. Gamma Rays/X-Rays (continued) Biological Hazard • Gamma rays and X-rays easily penetrate body tissues, outside or inside of the body. • Whole body (internal and external) hazard

  27. Gamma Rays/X-Rays (continued) Sources • Uranium, plutonium, radioactive cobalt, and cesium • Industrial radiation sources • Medical sources, cancer treatment machines • Many beta-emitters also emit gamma radiation. • Potassium in soil, bananas, and potassium chloride (salt substitute)

  28. Neutron Radiation • Range: Hundreds of feet • Shielding: 10 Inches of Plastic, 1 foot of Concrete, 3 feet of Dirt, 3 feet of Water

  29. Neutron Radiation (continued) Biological Hazard • Whole body hazard (external and internal neutrons are a whole body hazard). • Neutrons penetrate body tissues. • Neutrons cause damage whether the material is inside or outside of the body.

  30. Neutron Radiation (continued) Sources • Nuclear reactions inside nuclear reactor while reactor is operating • Burst of radiation from exploding nuclear weapon • Plutonium, industrial sources, moisture gauges with californium or mixture of americium and beryllium

  31. ¼ Inch Aluminum 3 Inches Lead 1 foot Concrete Aluminum Lead Concrete Radiation Source Alpha Radiation Stopped by a sheet of paper or dead layer of skin Beta Radiation Stopped by thick layers of clothing or by a quarter inch of aluminum or plastic Gamma Rays Stopped by a few inches of lead or six inches of concrete Organic Tissue Neutrons Stopped by a foot concrete or water Comparison of Ionizing Radiation

  32. Earth City Ping Pong Ball Speck of Dust Atom Alpha Particle Particle Size Comparison

  33. Rifle Cartridge Bullet Radioactive atom Alpha, Beta or Neutron “Particles” Alpha, Beta, and Neutron “Particles”

  34. Comparison of Radiation and Contaminants • Radiation is energy. • Radioactive contaminants are materials that emit radiation. • Radioactive contaminants are radioactive atoms that get onto something unwanted or are in an uncontrolled place. • Radioactive atoms cannot be neutralized to make them non-radioactive.

  35. Exposure vs. Contamination External Exposure External Contamination

  36. Internal Contamination and Internal Exposure Radioactive material inside the body Both contaminated and exposed

  37. ALARA • As • Low • As • Reasonably • Achievable

  38. ALARA Video

  39. ALARA Minimize time Maximize distance Use shielding

  40. Review • What’s the difference if I get exposed or if I get contaminated? • How do I protect myself from alpha, beta, gamma, or neutron radiation? • How can I practice the principles of ALARA in this situation?

  41. Questions?

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