Radiation Awareness

This training is for anyone who is working in or around a lab with radioactive materials. It is designed to provide you a general knowledge of the environments around you. This training does NOT meet the requirements for radioactive materials usage or x-ray generating device operation.

At the end is a short test. Please print out the results and send an original copy along with your original signature to the Office of Radiological Safety, mail code 0425.

The Atom

• Protons

• Neutrons

• Electrons

Non-Ionizing Radiation

Non-ionizing Ionizing

Ionizing Radiation

Electromagnetic radiation Electromagnetic radiation that has short wavelength that has short wavelength and enough energy to and enough energy to knock an electron out of knock an electron out of its orbitits orbit

Subatomic particle that Subatomic particle that has enough energy to has enough energy to knock out an electronknock out an electron

Alpha

Not an external radiation hazardEasily stopped by the dead layer of skin Internal hazard – If material is inside the body, then the alpha radiation reach live cells.

Po21084Pb

20682

42

Beta

External hazard to skin and eyesInternal hazard if the material that emits the beta radiation is inside the body. Then beta radiation can deposit energy in a small area of body tissue.

P3215

00

_01e

S3216

Gamma

Gamma rays easily penetrate body tissues, outside or inside of the body.Whole body (internal and external) hazard

*6028NiNi6028

Neutron

Whole body hazard (external and internal neutrons are a whole body hazard).

Neutrons penetrate body tissues.

Neutrons cause damage whether the material is in or outside of the body.

U23592

n10

n10 n10

X-Rays

Characteristic X-Rays

Bremsstrahlung

L Shell

K Shell

Electron or Photon InElectron or Photon In

X-RayElectron or Photon Out

electron

Tungsten

Bremsstrahlung X-Ray

Radiation Doses

Two different types– Acute

• Large dose rate, short period of exposure– 1,000 R/hr for 10 minuites

• More damaging– Cells have less time to repair– Immune system suppressed

– Chronic• Low dose rate, long period of exposure

– 50 µR/hr for 30 years– Natural background radiation

• Less damaging

Acute Radiation Exposure

Chronic Radiation Exposure

Natural Radiation

Source Variability Dose (mrem/yr)Cosmic Average 30

Colorado 50

Terrestrial Average 20Colorado 40

Internal Average 40

Radon Average 200

Total Average (Atlanta) 290Average (Colorado) 330

Medical Radiation

Source Dose (mrem/exam)Diagnostic X-Rays

Chest 10Lower GI 900Full Mouth (Dental) 10

Radio pharmaceuticals - Diagnostic201Tl (Heart image) 63067Ga (Tumor image) 130099mTc (Bone image) 130

Average for Population: 50 mrem/yr

Other Radiation

Source Dose (mrem/yr)Consumer Products 10

Trans-Continental Flight 2.5 - 4 per trip

Electricity Production

Coal 0.2

Nuclear 0.6

Sleeping Next to Someone 1

Fallout (from atmospheric < 1

nuclear testing)

Permissible Dose Limits

Occupational Limits for Adults– Whole Body 5,000 mrem / yr

– Pregnancy (Declared) 500 mrem / 9 mo.

General Public 100 mrem / yr– Uncontrolled Dose Rate 2 mrem / hr

Radioactive Consumer ProductsFiesta Ware– with uranium paint

1970’s tape dispenser – with thorium sand

Smoke detector– with americium

Lantern mantles– with thorium

Exit signs– with tritium

Sources of Radiation Exposure to the US Population

Radon54%

Cosmic8%

Terrestrial8%

Internal11%

Medical X-rays11%

Nuclear Medicine4%

Other1%

Consumer Products3%

Sources of Radiation Exposure to the U.S. Population

Radon54%

Cosmic8%

Terrestrial8%

Internal11%

Medical X-rays11%

Nuclear Medicine4%

Other1%

Consumer Products3%

Naturally Occurring

Definitions

Half-lifeHalf-life - The amount of time it takes half of the radioactive material to decay away

ContaminatedContaminated - Loose radioactivity, dust, dirt, etc. on an object

ExposureExposure - External radiation. You do not have to have contact with radioactive materials to be exposed to radiation.

Exposure vs. Contamination

External Exposure External Contamination

Internal Contamination

Major Pathways

CloudShine ()

Release GroundShine ()

Inhalation (,,)

Inhalation (,,)from Resuspended MaterialGround

DepositionSkin ()

Be Alert!

If you are working in a lab with radioactive material– Be alert for possible spills from other RAM workers

• If there is one, Don’t panic, and stay put. Call for help.

– Be alert for suspicious persons in and around your lab.• If you do see someone who isn’t a regular, question them.

– Don’t bother the RAM workers.• No horseplay in the lab with RAM. This can lead to accidents.

– Don’t loiter around the RAM.– Be mindful of the waste receptacles. There are special waste

cans for RAM. • Regular trash does not go in these!

So How Can I keep Myself Safe?

We abide by a policy known as …– A

• As

– L• Low

– A• As

– R• Reasonably

– A• Achievable

ALARA

At Georgia Tech, we will set all of our dose limits, and contamination control guidelines to at least one fifth that of the federal regulation– Permissible dose limit for Rad Worker = 5000 mrem/year

• This is a Federal Law– 10 CFR 20 (NRC)– 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA)

• And a State of Georgia Law– ALARA dose limit for Rad Worker = 1000 mrem/year

• This is the Georgia Tech ALARA policy

What do I do if I become Pregnant?

If you work in a RAM or X-Ray lab, and you become pregnant– First off, congratulations!

• If you have concerns about your baby’s safety, do not hesitate to contact the Office of Radiological Safety for private consultation about your scenario. We will be more than glad to talk to you and assess your particular concerns.

Ways to Protect Yourself

TimeTime

DistanceDistance

ShieldingShielding

Time

Minimize time exposed to radiation

Chest X-Ray= 10mR in 0.2 sec– Exposure Rate= 180 R/hr

Distance

Stand back.

Inverse Square Law- if you double the distance, the dose rate is a fourth.

I1 = (d2)2

I2 (d1)2

ShieldingPut Something between you and the radiation.– Alpha particles- sheet of paper– Beta particles- Lucite or plastic– Gamma, X-Ray- lead and concrete

RAM SignsRadioactive Materials (RAM) Room– Posted on the outer door to a

lab containing radioactive material

• Somewhere in that room there is a radioactive source

– No eating, drinking, smoking, or applying cosmetics inside the room.

RAM SignsRadioactive Materials (RAM) Package– Posted on the outer casing or box

containing radioactive material• Somewhere in that

box/instrument/device there is a radioactive source

– Don’t try to break that container– Don’t open it

RAM Signs

Radiation Area means there is an elevated risk– A source is in the vacinity capable of

producing a radiation field in excess of 5 mrem/hr up to 100 mrem/hr at 1 foot.

– Don’t Linger in these areas• At Georgia Tech, these are only

found at the Neely Nuclear Research Center or inside/around specific X-Ray devices/rooms.

RAM SignsA High Radiation Area means there is a large risk …– A source is in the vicinity capable of

producing a radiation field in excess of 100 mrem/hr up to 500 rem/hr at 1 foot.

– Very large risk!– Don’t enter these areas without

proper training and radiation detection equipment.

RAM Signs

Caution!Grave Danger

Very HighRadiation Area

Very High Radiation Areas– Do NOT ever enter these areas with the source out !!!!!!! *

• If you do, you are going to have a bad day…

– Dose Rates in excess of 500 Rem/hr» * the only exception is life saving activates, and then it is on an informed volunteer basis.

X-Ray Signs

X-Ray Device– Device is capable of producing X-rays.

• Can be very intense– Can cause extensive damage in a short amount of time

• Do not open device.• If device looks damaged notify the operator or your supervisor.

Cones

“Neighborhood” laboratories use cones to mark the area when using RAM.

The user of RAM is in control in that area

Do not bother the users, and avoid the area to minimize the potential for contamination.

Radioactive Material Shipments

Radioactive materials get shipped in the mail and by FedEx or DHL all the time!– When one arrives, it has to be properly received.

• All of them are to come through the ORS.• Sometimes, people make mistakes

– If one comes directly to your lab…– Call ORS and notify us of its presence.

– If you see one, don’t handle it if at all possible.• Call ORS and let us know.

– They are color coded for convenience– You are not permitted to transport RAM

Shipping Labels

Almost no radiation (0.5 mrem/hr max on surface) No real risk unless package is destroyed.

Low radiation levels (50 mrem/hr max on surface; 1 mrem/hr max at 1 m)These pose a small risk. Just don’t handle them for very long and step away.

Higher radiation levels (200mrem/hr max on surface; 10 mrem/hr max at 1 m)Large risk. They are dangerous in their container. Keep far away. These are very rare, and very dangerous

RAM Shipments

Limited QuantityLimited Quantity - No external package - No external package markings requiredmarkings required– Sometimes they are so small, they don’t need stickersSometimes they are so small, they don’t need stickers

LSALSA (Low Specific Activity) (Low Specific Activity) - Uranium ore, - Uranium ore, contaminated soil, low-level wastecontaminated soil, low-level waste

Type AType A - Small sources for medical uses, - Small sources for medical uses, researchresearch

Type BType B - Spent Fuel, large sources- Spent Fuel, large sources

Examples of RAM Packages

Wanting to work with RAM or X-Rays?

What do I do if I want to work with RAM or X-Ray producing devices– You need to come to the complete 3 hour RAM Training

• This is offered every month here at Georgia Tech, or for large groups, in your building (even GTRI Cobb County)

– This training is good for 3 years, but we ask everyone to complete an annual refresher training which is online as well.

New Research Grants or Projects

I have a new research idea, project or grant lining up. What should I do?– Consult with ORS. We can help you choose the right

isotopes and quantities to maximize the outcomes while keeping people safe.

– We will advise you on the requirements that the Radiation Safety Committee will need for approval including shielding requirements and safety analysis.

For Further Information

For further information on the topics covered here or to report misuse of RAM, Contact the Georgia Tech Office of Radiation Safety: 404-894-3605– Or email your questions/comments/concerns to:

• eric.burgett@ors.gatech.edu

If this is an emergency, contact the Georgia Tech Police Department and inform them and they will contact the Office of Radiation Safety personnel.

The End

Thank you for your time and attention. Please click on the link below to complete your quiz. Upon completion, please print an original copy and send it to the Office of Radiation Safety at 900 Atlantic Dr. Atlanta GA, 30332-0425– For those on campus send it via campus mail to

mailcode 0425– Or you can fax it to 404-894-9325

Click HERE to access the quiz.