Physics radiation

Low level Background radiation is everywhere. It irradiates and contaminates us. It comes from radioactive materials from:

Rocks/buildings

Human activity (waste from nuclear power plants)

space (Sun)

Ionising radiation can be used for treating cancer.

- Beta particles are fired at cancer cells to kill the cells.

-Gamma rays can also be used to kill all living cells including cancer cells.

Ionising radiation can be used for detecting diseases using tracers

- A patient is given a radioactive source orally or by injection

- It is an imaging technique that uses Gamma rays

- They have a short halflife so the radioactivity inside the patient quicly disapears

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Radioactive sources can be used in hospitals for some procedures

- to sterilize medical equiptment

- for protective clothing

- gloves

- devices to monitor exposure

Ionising radiation can sterilize food

-It kills the microbes

- It uses gamma rays but the food is not radioactive afterwards so it is safe to eat

Irradiation...

is being exposed to radiation without coming into contact with it

- Beta is the most risky

Contamination...

is where you inhale, drink, eat or touch radiation

- Alpha is the most risky,

Radioactive particles knock electrons from atoms in your DNA. This denatures the DNA and can lead to cancer.

Employers in some industries have to take the ALARP apprach to risk management:

As

Low

As

Reasonably

Possible