Background Radiation and Useful Radiation

what is background radiation?

constant bombardment of radiation from surroundings

what is background radiation measured in?

sieverts (Sv) or millisieverts (mSv)

How can nuclear radiation be used in medicine

• exploration of internal organs

• control of unwanted tissue

What type of radiation does radiotherapy use and what are the risks?

• can be done internally and externally

  • internally - beta

  • externally - gamma

• risk of contaminating healthy surrounding cells

• cells become irradiated

What type of radiation does investigation use and what are the risks?

• uses gamma rays - occasionally beta

• short half-life - reduces risk of cell death

• used internally

• cells become contaminated