CFFA/CFNBCS Radiation CFFA/CFNBCS Radiation Safety Awareness Safety Awareness Training PackageTraining Package

Produced by NIRSC - 2004

DND/CF NUCLEAR DND/CF NUCLEAR SAFETY PROGRAMSAFETY PROGRAM

Management of ionizing radiation sources including X-Ray devices

Minimizes the exposure of personnel and contamination of DND facilities/equipment and the environment to ionizing radiation

Is applicable to DND military and civilian personnel, as well as contractors on DND/CF sites and property

Ionizing and Non-Ionizing RadiationIonizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation

- has sufficient energy to break the binding force between the electrons and the nucleus of an atom

- may damage or kill cells in our bodies

- doesn’t have sufficient energy to break the binding force between the electrons and the nucleus of an atom

Ionizing radiation can change DNA

Ionizing Non-ionizing

RadiationRadiation is Energy That is Energy That Comes From Unstable AtomsComes From Unstable Atoms Most atoms are stable because the forces among the particles that make up the nucleus (protons and neutrons) and the electrons are balanced

However, in some atoms these forces are unbalanced; these are called unstable atoms

Unstable atoms are called radioactive because, in their attempt to reach stability, they emit energy in the form of ionizing radiation

This process of atoms changing their nuclear structure is sometimes called atomic decay

Below is an atom in which the nucleus emits a beta and alpha particle as well as a gamma ray

electron

proton gamma ray

alpha particle

beta particle

TYPES OF IONIZING TYPES OF IONIZING RADIATIONRADIATION

Ionizing radiation is energy emitted from a radioactive nuclear substance or from high voltage equipment

Some types of ionizing radiation are: alpha, beta, gamma and x-ray. They have varying degrees of energy, and hence different abilities to cause cellular damage

ALPHA PARTICLESALPHA PARTICLES Alpha particles have very low

penetrating power Alpha radiation is not able to penetrate

skin Alpha-emitting isotopes, such as

radium, americium and thorium, can be harmful to humans if the isotope is inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through open wounds

Distance traveled < 7cm in air

BETA PARTICLESBETA PARTICLES Beta particles have moderate penetrating

power Beta radiation can penetrate human skin to

where new skin cells are produced Can be stopped by articles of clothing or plastic Distance traveled – up to a few meters in air Examples of beta isotopes are nickel-

63, and tritium Strontium-90

GAMMA RAYS/X-RAYSGAMMA RAYS/X-RAYS Gamma and x-ray radiation is highly penetrating and

able to travel long distances in air. It readily penetrates most materials, including human tissue, and is sometimes called "penetrating radiation"

The denser the materials (i.e.: concrete, lead), the better the protection from gamma and x-ray

radiation Examples include cesium-137, cobalt-

60, and iridium-192

PENETRATING POWER PENETRATING POWER OF RADIATIONOF RADIATION

Alpha – < 7 cm in air Beta – a few meters in air Gamma and X-rays - only stopped by specific shielding

Hazards of RadiationHazards of Radiation The main hazard of radiation is exposure

There are two types of exposure:

External radiation Internal radiation

Gamma/Beta = External Beta/Alpha = Internal

External RadiationExternal Radiation When radiation comes from a source external to the body

Exposure can come from gamma, x-ray, high-energy betas

Limiting External Radiation Limiting External Radiation ExposureExposure

Limiting external exposure is a question of avoiding ionizing radiation sources This can be accomplished by using:

Minimize your time near the radioactive

source

Maximize your distance from the radioactive

source

Maximize your shielding from the radioactive source

Alpha

TIME DISTANCE SHIELDING

Internal RadiationInternal Radiation

Internal radiation is from ionizing radiation sources that emit gamma, beta, or alpha radiation taken into the body through:

Inhalation

Ingestion

Absorption (skin, eyes or an open wound)

Internal Exposure Internal Exposure PathwaysPathways

ExposureExposure

Internal exposure continues until the radiation sources are eliminated from the body (decay or excretion)

- Whereas -

External exposure ceases when the person or source is removed

Occupational ExposureOccupational Exposure

No person under the age of 16 shall be subject to exposure from occupational ionizing radiation

Waiver for the use of C-79 scopes by Cadets

PregnancyPregnancy

Radiation exposure can be harmful to rapidly growing cells

Pregnant personnel designated radiation or emergency worker, shall advise their supervisor immediately

Restricted dose limits are applicable for duration of pregnancy

Limiting Internal Limiting Internal Radiation ExposureRadiation Exposure

Limiting internal exposure is a question of avoiding ingestion, inhalation and absorption This can be accomplished by:

Washing your hands Not eating or smoking around radiation

sources Covering open wounds Clean workspace ethic

ALARAALARA

AsLowAsReasonablyAchievable

Fundamental philosophy of radiation protection suggests that no activity dealing with ionizing radiation source should be adopted unless there is a net benefit arising from it

If ionizing radiation source is to be handled, all efforts must be made to ensure the dose is the lowest absolutely required for the given task

Radiation in Everyday Life

Miscellaneous

Sources (0.01% )

Nuclear

Power/Fallout

(0.001%)

Medical

Diagnosis (22.9%)

Cosmic (11.4%)

Terrestrial

(13.3%)

Radon (37.8%)

Internal Sources

(13.3%)

Radiation in Everyday LifeRadiation in Everyday Life

Tritium (H-3)

Emits low beta, have low penetration capabilities

Example: Tritium Night Sight

Risks: No external exposure risk

If disassembled or crush: makes tritium available for inhalation or ingestion

Radiation in Everyday LifeRadiation in Everyday Life

Californium-252

Radiation in Everyday LifeRadiation in Everyday Life

Americium–241 Decays by alpha emission

and a gamma ray is produced Example: smoke detectors Risks:

1/1,000 average background radiation dose

Ingestion or inhalation - most is excreted from the body (about 0.05% in the blood where it remains for long periods of time)

Radiation in Everyday LifeRadiation in Everyday Life

Nickel–63 Low energy beta emitter Example: Chemical Agent

Monitor (CAM) Risks:

No external hazard – cannot penetrate the skin

Only a health hazard if taken into the body

Radiation in Everyday LifeRadiation in Everyday Life

X-Ray Risks:

Can alter genetic materials in cells - amount of x-ray used is so small that the risk is extremely low

Radiation RecognitionRadiation Recognition

The trefoil is the international warning symbol for ionizing radiation

In Canada, X-rays are identified by a different symbol

Radiation warning symbol (trefoil) may be used outside of North American for X-ray warning

Location of SymbolsLocation of Symbols

Individual items or equipment Storage and work areas Transportation and vehicles

DetectionDetection

Ionizing radiation cannot be detected by the senses, but there are instruments that can be used to detect and monitor radiation

Radiation Safety Officers are trained to operate this equipment

Roles and ResponsibilitiesRoles and Responsibilities

Individual Responsibilities: ALARA Proper use of equipment Carry-out immediate action

procedures as required Report all accidents, incidents,

and potential Radiation Safety issues to your local Radiation Safety Officer and via RHOs as required

Radiological Hazardous Radiological Hazardous Occurrence (RHO) Occurrence (RHO)

ProceduresProcedures In case of RHO:

Stop breathing Vacate the immediate area Breathe when in fresh air Secure and ventilate the area Call the RadSO Carry-out task as assigned by the RadSO Remain nearby until released by the RadSO

Radiation Safety Officer and/or Radiation Safety Officer and/or Radiation Safety Custodian Radiation Safety Custodian

ContactsContacts

RadSC/Unit RadSO/Base RadSO NAIRS permit/poster on Safety Board Info found on inventory sticker in storage areas

If unable to contact the unit RadSO or Alternate, then try higher-level RadSO

first Base RadSO then Formation/Area or Command RadSO

Questions?Questions?

WO WhiteCFFA/CFNBCS RadSO

Local 7224