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11017133/0409 Copyright ©2004 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
BLR’s Safety TrainingPresentations
Ionizing Radiation29 CFR 1910.1096
11017133/0409 Copyright ©2004 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Goals
Ionizing Radiation and Health Effects Preventing and Reducing Exposure Quiz
11017133/0409 Copyright ©2004 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Ionizing Radiation
Electrons removed from atoms Unstable atoms or radioactive decay Natural or by human activities Alpha and beta particles, gamma rays X rays
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Alpha Particles
Positively charged Emitted from uranium and radium Do not penetrate far Not a hazard outside the body Harmful if ingested or inhaled
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Beta Particles
Positive or negative electrons Emitted from tritium, carbon-14,
strontium-90 Capable of penetrating skin More hazardous when inhaled or ingested Stopped by clothing or aluminum foil
11017133/0409 Copyright ©2004 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Gamma Rays
Packets of energy called photons No charge or mass, very penetrating Emitted from potassium-40, plutonium-239 Absorbed by tissue Only stopped by thick concrete or lead
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X Rays
High-energy photons Like gamma rays,
with different origin Lower energy,
less penetrating X-ray machines in medicine and industry Largest source of manmade radiation
11017133/0409 Copyright ©2004 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Sources of Radiation
Natural radiation–Sun, cosmic rays–Elements in the earth’s crust
Manmade radiation–Medical facilities–Nuclear reactors–Radioactive waste–Consumer products
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Ionizing Radiation In Health Care
Used in diagnosis, treatment, and lab work
Radioactivity from exposure Exposure from equipment Exposure from storage
and disposal Avoid overexposure
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Potential Health Effects
Depends on level of exposure
Affects the person exposed
Can affect future generations
Massive tissue damage and death
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Results of Exposure
Cell damage or cell death Abnormal cells—cancer Damage depends on time, dose, and
organ exposed Evidence of exposure may not be
noticed for years Long-term vs. short-term exposure Causes other than radiation
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Chronic Exposure
Low levels of radiation over a long time period
Effects observed some time after initial exposure
Genetic effects, cancer, lesions, tumors, cataracts, congenital defects
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Acute Exposure
Large, single dose of radiation
Accidents or special medical procedures
Immediate effects—radiation sickness
Delayed effects—cataracts, sterility, cancer Death within a few hours or days
11017133/0409 Copyright ©2004 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Risks of Health Effects
Background levels of radiation
Radiation accumulation More cancer as exposure
increases Effects of low exposures
are only estimates No radiation exposure is risk free
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Goals
Ionizing Radiation and Health Effects Preventing and Reducing Exposure Quiz
11017133/0409 Copyright ©2004 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Radiation in Restricted Areas
Limits of exposure: 11/4 rems: Whole body
183/4 rems: Hands and feet
71/2 rems: Skin
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Radiation Areas
Radiation Area–5 millirem dose in 1 hour–“Caution – Radiation Area”
High Radiation Area–100 millirem dose in 1 hour–“Caution – High Radiation Area”–Control device or alarm
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Effects of Whole-Body Dosages
1 rem—no detectable effects
10-20 rems—reduced white blood cells
600 rems—disability and death
0.0004 rem/day background
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Stay Within Exposure Limits
Stay below permissible exposure levels
Wear monitoring devices
Record and report measurements
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Avoid Radiation Exposure
Limit exposure time Shield radiation source Wear PPE Stay behind a
protective shield
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PPE
Protective clothing Lead aprons Leaded goggles Gloves
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Evacuation Warning Signal
75 decibels Unique in the facility Minimum duration Sounds automatically Power back-up
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Notification of Incidents to OSHA
Immediately 24 hours
Whole body: 25 rems 5 rems
Skin exposed: 150 rems 30 rems
Feet or hands: 375 rems 75 rems
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Medical Surveillance
Medical clearance Periodic checkups Medical records
review Notification if
overexposed
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Goals
Ionizing Radiation and Health Effects Preventing and Reducing Exposure Quiz
11017133/0409 Copyright ©2004 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Summary
Learn about ionizing radiation Know about the sources of radiation
in your workplace Stay out of restricted areas Wear PPE Recognize the evacuation signal
11017133/0409 Copyright ©2004 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Quiz
1. Why are alpha emitting substances not a serious hazard when outside the body?
2. What can stop beta particles?
3. What type of ionizing radiation can only be stopped by thick concrete or lead?
4. What is the largest source of manmade radiation?
5. How does radiation exposure impact future generations?
6. Name some immediate effects of acute exposure.
11017133/0409 Copyright ©2004 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Quiz (cont.)
7. What is an effect of a 10-20 rem exposure?
8. Name a way to avoid radiation exposure.
9. What does radiation protective clothing contain?
10. How loud should the evacuation warning alarm be?
11017133/0409 Copyright ©2004 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Quiz Answers
1. Alpha particles are absorbed by the outer, dead layer of skin and do not penetrate
2. Clothing or aluminum foil
3. Gamma rays
4. X rays
5. Damages cell DNA, causing genetic mutations in future generations
6. Radiation sickness—gastrointestinal disorders, bacterial infections, hemorrhaging, anemia, etc.
11017133/0409 Copyright ©2004 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Quiz Answers (cont.)
7. Reduced white blood cell count
8. Wear PPE, stay behind protective shields
9. Lead
10. At least 75 decibels