Become Aware: Preparation for aRadiological Terrorism Event
“Ionizing Radiation andIts Biological and Human Health Effects”
John P. Hageman, M.S., CHPRadiation Safety OfficerSouthwest Research Institute®
6220 Culebra RoadSan Antonio, TX 78238
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
November 12, 2002
®
Radiation PhysicsRadiation Physics+What is Radiation? +The Electromagnetic Spectrum +Ionizing versus Non-ionizing
Radiation+Electromagnetic versus Particulate
Radiation+Sources of Radiation+Radioactive Decay
Radiation PhysicsRadiation Physics+ Units for Radioactive Material + Stopping Ionizing Radiation+ Atomic Weapons+ Dirty Bombs+ Units of Dose+ Equipment to Detect
Different Kinds of Radiation
What is Radiation?What is Radiation?+ Emission and propagation of energy in
the form of rays or waves
+ Energy radiated or transmitted as rays, waves, or in the form of particles
+ A stream of particles or electromagnetic waves emitted by the atoms and molecules of a radioactive substance as a result of nuclear decay
The Electromagnetic SpectrumThe Electromagnetic Spectrum
http://230nsc1.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/ems1.html
Ionizing versusNon-ionizing Radiation
Ionizing versusNon-ionizing Radiation
http://www.epa.gov/radiation/understand/ionize_nonionize.htm
Ionizing RadiationIonizing Radiation
+ The energy associated with any radiation can be transferred to matter. This transfer of energy canremove electrons from the orbit of atoms leading to the formation of ions
+ The types of radiation capable of producing ions in matter are collectively referred to as "ionizing radiation”
Electromagneticversus ParticulateElectromagnetic
versus Particulate
+ X-rays and gamma rays are electromagnetic waves of radiation, as is visible light
+ Particulate radiation includes alpha, beta, and neutron radiation.
Radiation is energy in the formof waves or particles
Two Types of Ionizing Radiation:
X-Ray RadiationX-Ray Radiation
http://gopher.princeton.edu/~ehs/radtrain/Modules/basics.html#X-Ray
Gamma RadiationGamma Radiation
http://gopher.princeton.edu/~ehs/radtrain/Modules/basics.html#Gamma
Alpha ParticlesAlpha Particles
http://gopher.princeton.edu/~ehs/radtrain/Modules/basics.html#Alpha
Beta ParticlesBeta Particles
http://gopher.princeton.edu/~ehs/radtrain/Modules/basics.html#Beta
Sources of RadiationSources of Radiation
+ X-Ray machines (EM - waves)
+ Accelerators (EM & Particles)
+ Radioactive Material (Radionuclides)(EM & Particles)
Radioactive DecayRadioactive Decay
http://gopher.princeton.edu/~ehs/radtrain/Modules/basics.html#Decay
Units for Radioactive MaterialUnits for Radioactive Material
http://gopher.princeton.edu/~ehs/radtrain/Modules/basics.html#Decay
Stopping Ionizing RadiationStopping Ionizing Radiation
http://gopher.princeton.edu/~ehs/radtrain/Modules/basics.html#Decay
Atomic WeaponsAtomic Weapons
Atomic WeaponsAtomic Weapons+ Prompt gamma and neutron radiation
+ Fallout of alpha, beta, and gamma emitting radionuclides
+ Severe and prompt deaths within a relatively small area
+ Prompt gamma and neutron radiation
+ Fallout of alpha, beta, and gamma emitting radionuclides
+ Severe and prompt deaths within a relatively small area
Dirty BombsDirty Bombs
Dirty BombsDirty Bombs+ A weapon made by combining radiological
material/waste - like spent nuclear fuel rods with conventional explosives (only cause of death)
+ While not possessing the awesome power of an atomic weapon a dirty bomb can spread intense radiation over a wide area
+ Spreading the radioactive material dilutes its effect
+ The psychological effect is predominant
Units of DoseUnits of Dose10 CFR 20.1004 Units of radiation dose (The NRC) Definitions. As
used in this part, the units of radiation dose are:
+ Gray (Gy) is the SI unit of absorbed dose. One gray is equal to an absorbed dose of 1 Joule/kilogram(1 Gy = 100 rads).
+ Rad is the special unit of absorbed dose. One rad is equal to an absorbed dose of 100 ergs/gram or 0.01 joule/kilogram(1 rad = 0.01 gray)
+ Sievert (Sv) is the SI unit of any of the quantities expressed as dose equivalent. The dose equivalent in sieverts is equal to theabsorbed dose in grays multiplied by the quality factor(1 Sv = 100 rems)
+ Rem is the special unit of any of the quantities expressed as dose equivalent. The dose equivalent in rems is equal to the absorbed dose in rads multiplied by the quality factor (1 rem = 0.01 sievert)
Equipment Used to DetectDifferent Kinds of RadiationEquipment Used to DetectDifferent Kinds of Radiation+ Many different devices are used to
measure radiation under a wide range of conditions
+ Three categories of devices are:
!personal dosimeters!hand-held detectors!air sampling monitors
+ Many different devices are used to measure radiation under a wide range of conditions
+ Three categories of devices are:
!personal dosimeters!hand-held detectors!air sampling monitors
Personal Dosimeters & Hand-Held Detectors
Personal Dosimeters & Hand-Held Detectors
Pocket Dosimeter
Response Kit
http://www.ludlums.com/product.htm
Geiger Counters
http://landauerinc.com/frm2.htm
Whole Body &Ring Badges
Air Sampling MonitorsAir Sampling Monitors
Portable Air Sampler
http://www.fjspecialty.com/homeland/
Personal Air Sampler
