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Health Physics

Health physics involves developing and applying knowledge of radiation protection to protect people and the environment from unnecessary radiation exposure. Ionizing radiation can impart energy and cause chemical changes in the body. The three main types of ionizing radiation - alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays - differ in their penetrating abilities and can be stopped by varying amounts and thicknesses of material. Health physicists aim to keep radiation exposure As Low As Reasonably Achievable through principles of time, distance, and shielding from radiation sources.

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144 views33 pages

Health Physics

Health physics involves developing and applying knowledge of radiation protection to protect people and the environment from unnecessary radiation exposure. Ionizing radiation can impart energy and cause chemical changes in the body. The three main types of ionizing radiation - alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays - differ in their penetrating abilities and can be stopped by varying amounts and thicknesses of material. Health physicists aim to keep radiation exposure As Low As Reasonably Achievable through principles of time, distance, and shielding from radiation sources.

Uploaded by

g1381821
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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HEALTH PHYSICS

BY NADIA

Health Physics
Health physics is the development, dissemination, and application of both the scientific knowledge of, and the practical means for radiation protection. The objective of health physics is the protection of people and the environment from unnecessary exposure to radiation.

Introduction
Radioactive material is a hazardous material. Hazardous materials are managed safely every day. (i.e. gasoline; chlorine) Radioactive materials are also safely managed daily.
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Radiation

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Radiation and Radioactivity

Radiation = emission and propagation of energy through space or through a material in the form of waves or, by extension, corpuscular emissions Radioactivity = spontaneous emission of radiation from the nucleus of an unstable atom

Electromagnetic Spectrum of Radiation

Non-ionizing radiation = does not contain sufficient energy to produce ions Ionizing Radiation = particles or photons with sufficient energy to produce ions in the medium

Radiation
Ionizing [Health Physics] Alpha Beta Gamma X-Rays Neutron Non-Ionizing [Industrial Hygiene] microwave, radio, laser, etc.

Ionizing Radiation
Ionizing radiation is radiation capable of imparting its energy to the body and causing chemical changes Ionizing radiation is emitted by - Radioactive material - Some devices such as x-ray machines

X-Rays

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Types of Ionizing Radiation


Alpha Particles
Stopped by a sheet of paper

Radiation Source Beta Particles


Stopped by a layer of clothing or less than an inch of a substance

Gamma Rays
Stopped by inches to feet of concrete or less than an inch of lead

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Properties of , ,

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Radiation versus Contamination

Radiation is a type of energy; contamination is material Exposure to radiation will not contaminate you Radioactive contamination emits radiation

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Radiation and Radioactive Material

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Contamination

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Irradiation

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Activation/Induced Activity

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Examples of Radioactive Materials


Physical

Radionuclide Cesium-137 Cobalt-60 Plutonium-239 Iridium-192 Hydrogen-3 Strontium-90 Iodine-131 Technetium-99m Americium-241 Radon-222

Half-Life 30 y 5y 24,000 y 74 d 12 y 29 y 8d 6h 432 y 4d

Activity 1.5x106 Ci 15,000 Ci 600 Ci 100 Ci 12 Ci 0.1 Ci 0.015 Ci 0.025 Ci 0.000005 Ci 1 pCi/l

Where Found Food Irradiator Cancer Therapy Nuclear Weapon Ind. Radiography Exit Signs Ocular Therapy Nuclear Medicine Diagnostic Imaging Smoke Detectors Environment

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Personnel Dose Limits*


Occupational Workers: TEDE Lens of eye Extremities Skin Other organs 5 rem/yr 15 rem/yr 50 rem/yr 50 rem/yr 50 rem/yr

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Annual Exposure Limits


rem mrem

Whole-Body Eye Shallow

5 15 50

5,000 15,000 50,000

Minors & Declared Pregnant Workers*

10 %

10 %

Whole Body = Total Effective Dose Equivalent General Public Limit = 2 mrem / hr or 0.1 rem / yr

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Radiological Units
Radiation Exposure (rate) Measurement:

Roentgen or milliroentgen mR/h)

(R/h or

rem or millirem (mrem/h)


Sievert (SI unit), 1 sievert = 100 rem

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Radiological Units
Activity Measurement:

Curie or milli or microCurie Becquerel (SI unit) or MBq

Disintegrations per minute (dpm)


Counts per minute (cpm)

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Half-Life

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Types of Radiation Hazards


External Exposure: whole-body partial-body
Internal Contamination External Contamination

Contamination: Exposure External: radioactive material on the skin

External

Internal: radioactive material inhaled, swallowed, absorbed through skin or wounds

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RADIATION AND PREGNANCY

Time dependence first 2 weeks of pregnancy-resorption and termination of pregnancy 2nd week to 10th week period of major organogenesis=possible congenital abnormalities 2nd and 3rd trimesters, responses above are unlikely. Malignant disease during childhood a likely response. This also possible with exposure in 1st trimester Responses likely only with high rad doses (above 25 rad)

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Basic Radiation Safety Concepts

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ALARA
A - As L - Low A - As R - Reasonably A - Achievable

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Recognition of Radiation Sources

Labeling

Certain exemptions

Radiation detection
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Standard Radiation Protection Principles


Time Distance Shielding

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Shielding Examples

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Biological Effects
Potential effects on the human body from ionizing radiation: No damage Cells repair damage and operate normally Cells are damaged and operate abnormally Cells die as a result of the damage

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Detecting and Measuring Radiation


Detectors or Survey Instruments: contamination exposure rate Personal Dosimeters Film, TLD, Self-reading measure doses to responders

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Questions?
Thank you.

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