Radiation can damage healthy cells. Cells can be killed, or mutations caused in the cells which can lead to cancer.

Improperly disposed of radioactive material, or radioactive material that has leaked from a nuclear accident may have a very long half-life and thus be dangerous for many years.

Nuclear radiation cannot be seen, smelt or otherwise easily detected. It is thus important that radioactive materials are handled safely.

Protecting Ourselves from Radioactive Materials

Some jobs involve using radioactive materials, e.g. hospital workers. As they have to come into contact with radioactive materials they should try to reduce their exposure to ionising radiation as much as possible by doing the following:

• • Work with the radioactive materials only in designated areas.
  • Reduce exposure time near any radioactive sources.
  • Increase distance between yourself and the radioactive source as the intensity of the radiation decreases with distance.
  • Use shielding to protect your body, e.g. wearing lead-lined gloves.
  • Store radioactive materials in containers that will absorb the radiation when not being used. Such containers could be made out of lead.

If a person gets contaminated with radioactive material they should do the following:

• • Leave the area immediately to reduce receiving further radiation.
  • Remove all outer layers of clothes as there may be radioactive particles on them.
  • Wash all exposed skin with warm water and soap to remove radioactive particles to reduce risk of further contamination.

 

Example
Give two reasons why long tongs are used to pick up and handle a radioactive source in the laboratory? So that the radioactive material is not touched with our hands, thus contaminating us. The long tongs keep the distance from our hands to the source larger and thus reduce the level of exposure that we would receive compared to using shorter tongs. Show Answer

 

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Radioactivity

Links
YouTube Video: Why Radiation Is Harmful