Industrial Hygiene

Chat gpt generated terms

Industrial Hygiene

The science and art devoted to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of workplace environmental hazards that may cause illness or discomfort

Physical Hazards

Workplace hazards that cause harm through physical energy such as noise, heat, vibration, and radiation

Chemical Hazards

Harmful substances in the workplace that can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption

Biological Hazards

Workplace hazards caused by living organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites

Radiation

Energy transmitted through space or matter in the form of waves or particles

Ionizing Radiation

Radiation with enough energy to remove electrons from atoms, causing biological damage

Non-Ionizing Radiation

Radiation that does not have enough energy to ionize atoms, such as UV, microwave, and radio waves

Roentgen (R)

A unit of radiation exposure that measures ionization produced in air by X-rays or gamma rays

Absorbed Dose

The amount of radiation energy absorbed per unit mass of tissue

Gray (Gy)

The SI unit of absorbed dose equal to one joule of radiation energy absorbed per kilogram of matter

Rad

The old unit of absorbed dose where 100 rad equals 1 gray

Dose Equivalent

A measure of biological damage that considers the type of radiation and absorbed dose

Sievert (Sv)

The SI unit of dose equivalent used to measure radiation health effects

REM

The older unit of dose equivalent where 100 rem equals 1 sievert

Linear No-Threshold Theory

A theory stating that any amount of radiation exposure carries some risk of biological damage

Threshold Theory

A theory stating that radiation damage occurs only after a certain exposure level is exceeded

Time, Distance, and Shielding

The three basic principles of radiation protection used to minimize exposure

Time

Reducing the duration of radiation exposure to lower the absorbed dose

Distance

Increasing the space between the worker and the radiation source to reduce exposure

Shielding

The use of barriers such as lead or concrete to reduce radiation exposure

ALARA Principle

A radiation safety principle that keeps exposure As Low As Reasonably Achievable

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Equipment worn to minimize exposure to workplace hazards including radiation

Anticipation

The ability to predict potential workplace hazards before exposure occurs

Recognition

The identification of existing hazards in the workplace

Evaluation

The measurement and assessment of the extent of worker exposure to hazards

Control

The implementation of methods to eliminate or reduce workplace hazards

Hierarchy of Controls

A system for minimizing hazards in order of effectiveness: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE

Engineering Controls

Physical changes to the workplace that isolate workers from hazards

Administrative Controls

Work practices and policies that reduce exposure time or frequency

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Devices worn to protect workers from exposure to hazards when other controls are insufficient

Physical Hazards

Environmental factors such as noise, heat, cold, vibration, and radiation that can cause harm

Radiation Hazard

A physical hazard involving exposure to ionizing or non-ionizing radiation

Ionizing Radiation

Radiation that has sufficient energy to remove electrons from atoms and damage living tissue

Alpha Radiation

A type of ionizing radiation with low penetration but high biological damage when inhaled or ingested

Beta Radiation

Ionizing radiation with moderate penetration that can penetrate skin but is stopped by plastic or aluminum

Gamma Radiation

Highly penetrating ionizing radiation requiring dense shielding such as lead or concrete

X-Radiation

Electromagnetic ionizing radiation commonly used in medical and industrial imaging

Non-Ionizing Radiation

Radiation with insufficient energy to ionize atoms, including ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, microwave, and radiofrequency radiation

Roentgen (R)

A unit of radiation exposure measuring the ionization produced in air by X-rays or gamma rays

Exposure

The amount of ionization produced in air by radiation

Absorbed Dose

The amount of radiation energy absorbed per unit mass of tissue

Gray (Gy)

The SI unit of absorbed dose equal to one joule per kilogram

Rad

The older unit of absorbed dose where 100 rad equals 1 gray

Quality Factor

A factor used to account for the relative biological effectiveness of different types of radiation

Dose Equivalent

Absorbed dose multiplied by the quality factor to estimate biological damage

Sievert (Sv)

The SI unit of dose equivalent measuring radiation health effects

REM

The older unit of dose equivalent where 100 rem equals 1 sievert

Effective Dose

A radiation dose that considers the sensitivity of different organs and tissues

Stochastic Effects

Radiation effects that occur by chance and increase in probability with dose, such as cancer

Deterministic Effects

Radiation effects that increase in severity with dose and have a threshold, such as skin burns

Linear No-Threshold Theory

A radiation protection model assuming risk increases linearly with dose and has no safe threshold

Threshold Theory

A theory suggesting radiation damage occurs only above a certain exposure level

Radiation Protection

Measures taken to reduce or prevent harmful effects of radiation exposure

ALARA Principle

A safety principle requiring radiation exposure to be kept As Low As Reasonably Achievable

Time

Reducing exposure duration to minimize radiation dose

Distance

Increasing distance from a radiation source to reduce exposure

Shielding

Use of materials like lead, concrete, or water to absorb radiation

Dosimeter

A device worn by workers to measure accumulated radiation dose

Film Badge

A personal monitoring device that records cumulative radiation exposure

Thermoluminescent Dosimeter (TLD)

A dosimeter that measures radiation by releasing light when heated

Geiger-Müller Counter

An instrument used to detect and measure ionizing radiation

Contamination

The presence of radioactive material on surfaces, skin, or clothing

Decontamination

The removal of radioactive substances from people or surfaces

Radiation Safety Officer

A trained individual responsible for ensuring radiation protection in the workplace

Occupational Exposure Limit

The maximum allowable radiation dose for workers during a specified time period

Health Hazard

A workplace condition that can cause acute or chronic illness

Occupational Exposure

Contact of a worker with a physical, chemical, or biological agent during work

Radiation Worker

An individual whose occupation involves exposure to radiation sources

Background Radiation

Natural radiation present in the environment from cosmic rays and radioactive materials in the earth

Man-Made Radiation

Radiation produced by human activities such as medical imaging and industrial processes

Internal Exposure

Radiation exposure occurring when radioactive material enters the body

External Exposure

Radiation exposure from sources outside the body

Inhalation Exposure

Entry of radioactive materials into the body through breathing

Ingestion Exposure

Entry of radioactive materials into the body through contaminated food or water

Skin Absorption

Entry of radioactive material through the skin

Radioactive Contaminant

Unwanted radioactive material present in the workplace environment

Half-Life

The time required for half of a radioactive substance to decay

Radioactive Decay

The spontaneous emission of radiation from an unstable atomic nucleus

Activity

The rate at which a radioactive material undergoes decay

Becquerel (Bq)

The SI unit of radioactivity equal to one decay per second

Curie (Ci)

The older unit of radioactivity equal to 3.7 × 10¹⁰ disintegrations per second

Inverse Square Law

A principle stating that radiation intensity decreases as distance from the source increases

Controlled Area

A workplace area where access is restricted due to radiation hazards

Uncontrolled Area

An area where radiation exposure is not expected to exceed public dose limits

Radiation Signage

Warning symbols and signs used to indicate the presence of radiation hazards

Radiation Survey

A systematic measurement of radiation levels in a workplace

Leak Test

A test performed to detect radioactive contamination from sealed sources

Sealed Source

Radioactive material permanently enclosed to prevent dispersion

Unsealed Source

Radioactive material that can spread contamination

Waste Segregation

Separation of radioactive waste according to type and activity level

Radioactive Waste

Materials containing radioactive substances that require special disposal

Spill Response

Procedures followed after accidental release of radioactive materials

Emergency Exposure

Radiation exposure received during an accident or emergency situation

Health Surveillance

Ongoing monitoring of workers’ health to detect early effects of exposure

Medical Surveillance

Medical examinations conducted to assess fitness for radiation work

Occupational Disease

An illness resulting from exposure to hazards in the workplace

Risk Assessment

The process of evaluating the likelihood and severity of harm from hazards

Hazard Communication

The process of informing workers about workplace hazards and safety measures

Safety Culture

Shared values and practices that prioritize safety in the workplace