Irradiation and Radioactive Contamination

Vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions, hazards, and safety precautions related to irradiation and radioactive contamination.

Ionizing Radiation

Radiation that can form charged atoms called ions, which can increase the risk of cancer in humans.

Irradiation

The process of exposing an object to nuclear radiation, such as alpha, beta, gamma radiation, or neutrons.

Irradiated Object Behavior

An object that undergoes irradiation comes into contact only with radiation, not the radioactive isotope itself, so it does not become radioactive.

Radioactive Contamination

When unwanted radioactive isotopes end up on other materials, causing the source to be on or inside an object or person.

Shielding

A precaution taken to stop radiation, using protective barriers such as gloves for alpha radiation, or lead aprons, lead walls, and lead-containing glass for beta and gamma radiation.

Radiation Monitor

A device used to measure how much radiation a person has received so they can be removed from working with radioactive isotopes if exposure is too high.

Alpha Emitters (Hazard)

Strongly ionizing radiation sources that are easily stopped by dead skin cells, but cause severe damage to living cell DNA if inhaled on dust or swallowed on food.

Beta Particles (Hazard)

Radiation that is less ionizing than alpha particles but can easily penetrate into the body and damage cells.

Gamma Rays (Hazard)

Weakly ionizing radiation that can pass into the body and out again, making it generally less hazardous than alpha or beta radiation.

Peer Review

The process where scientists publish and share their studies with other scientists so that the findings can be checked.