irradiation and contamination

big risk link to ionising radiation

can increase risk of cancer in humans

irradiation

process of exposing an object to nuclear radiation

what happens when object irradiated

object does not become radioactive because only comes in contact with radiation but not radioactive isotope itself

precautions taken by those who work with radioactive isotopes

-gloves can protect against alpha radiation

-beta and gamma radiation can be reduced using lead apron

-lead walls

-lead-glass screen

-with radiation monitor, does not stop radiation but can measure how much radiation is being received

radioactive contamination

is the unwanted presence of materials containing radioactive atoms on other materials

what is the hazard of contamination

the radioactive atoms decay and emit ionising radiation

in contamination what does level of hazard depend on

the type of radiation emitted affects the level of hazard

contamination hazard of alpha radiation

strongly ionising but easily stopped by dead cells on the skin surface. alpha emitters can be dangerous if inhaled or swallowed

contamination hazard of beta radiation

quite ionising and can penetrate skin into body

contamination hazard of gamma radiation

weakly ionising and can penetrate body but likely to pass straight through. less hazardous compared to the other two

peer review

scientists have explored the effects of radiation on humans over years. Important that these studies are published and shared with other scientists. This allows the findings to be checked