Contamination, Irradiation and Background Radiation

irradiation

the process in which objects are exposed to radiation

contamination

when radioactive particles get onto other objects

factors that determine how harmful radiation is

the type of radiation + where you're exposed to the radiation + the amount of radiation you receive

ionising radiation

more dangerous as it can enter living cells and interact with molecules inside

ionising radiation

can also ionise our dna which can cause mutations + can lead to cells dividing uncontrollably and developing cancer

most dangerous radiation outside the body

Gamma and Beta because they can penetrate the skin and get into delicate organs

most dangerous radiation on/inside the body

Alpha because it would be able to get into your cells

factors that affect the amount of radiation you receive

how far away from the source you are + how long you've been exposed + how radioactive thr substance is

precautions

wearing protective gear: gloves; overalls + handling radioactive item with tongs; tweezers + keeping item in a lead-lined box

being irradiated

it can't cause mutations or make you radioactive(emit that radiation to others)

being comtaminated

you can then harm others

Background radiation

The low-level radiation that’s all around us all the time.

Where does all the background radiation come from?

1) Radioactivity of naturally occurring unstable isotopes all around us - in the air, in some foods, building materials and some rocks

2) radiation from space (cosmic rays) → comes from the Sun but earth’s atmosphere protects us from much of this radiation

3) radiation due to human activity (fallout from human explosions or nuclear waste)

Absorbed radiation dose

The amount of radiation you're exposed to → your radiation dose varies depending on where you life and if you have a job that involves radiation