Associated Hazards and Precautions (GCSE Physics)

Associated Hazards and Precautions

Hazards and Precautions

Associated Hazards

• Risks depend on the source. For some sources, irradiation can pose risks, whereas for other sources, contamination can pose risks. Irradiation is linked to beta and gamma sources, whilst contamination is linked to alpha sources.
• Beta and gamma sources can get into the body. Through irradiation, beta and gamma sources can use their ability to travel long distances and get inside the body. Alpha sources are unable to travel very far and so they cannot get into the body through irradiation.
• Alpha sources work in small areas. If an alpha source is in a closed area, then it can cause a lot of harm by contamination. It is very strongly ionising, so it can contaminate a lot of particles in a small space, for example inside the body.

Precautions Against Hazards

• Irradiation can be prevented. We can prevent unwanted irradiation quite easily. To keep alpha and beta sources from irradiating objects, we can limit exposure. Workers can limit and monitor their exposure using badges containing photographic films.
• Sources can be removed. By placing the sources into appropriate containers, we can keep radiation sources away from objects. We can also place them into separate rooms. Irradiation will stop as soon as the source is removed, whereas contamination can be difficult to remove completely.
• Protective clothing can be worn. As well as placing sources appropriately, we can wear clothing to protect us from radiation. We can wear gloves so that radioactive particles don’t stick to our skin, or use forceps to handle radioactive substances instead. We can even wear masks so we don’t accidentally breathe in any particles.

Studying Hazards

• Scientists study hazards. We can study hazards of radiation to find out its effects on humans. This is particularly important, since we need to know how to protect ourselves from radiation.
• Studies can be published. Scientists can publish the results of their studies to the public. This allows other scientists to read their work, so that the findings can be backed up or improved on for the future. Studies are often checked by a peer review for this to happen.