Become Aware: Preparation for a Radiological Terrorism Event Ionizing Radiation and Its Biological and Human Health Effects The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio November 12, 2002 John P. Hageman, M.S., CHP Radiation Safety Officer Southwest Research Institute 6220 Culebra Road San Antonio, TX 78238
Radiation Physics +What is Radiation? +The Electromagnetic Spectrum +Ionizing versus Non-ionizing Radiation +Electromagnetic versus Particulate Radiation +Sources of Radiation +Radioactive Decay
Radiation 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? + 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 Spectrum http://230nsc1.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/ems1.html
Ionizing versus Non-ionizing Radiation http://www.epa.gov/radiation/understand/ionize_nonionize.htm
Ionizing Radiation + The energy associated with any radiation can be transferred to matter. This transfer of energy can remove 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
Electromagnetic versus Particulate Radiation is energy in the form of waves or particles Two Types of Ionizing Radiation: + X-rays and gamma rays are electromagnetic waves of radiation, as is visible light + Particulate radiation includes alpha, beta, and neutron radiation.
X-Ray Radiation http://gopher.princeton.edu/~ehs/radtrain/modules/basics.html#x-ray
Gamma Radiation http://gopher.princeton.edu/~ehs/radtrain/modules/basics.html#gamma
Alpha Particles http://gopher.princeton.edu/~ehs/radtrain/modules/basics.html#alpha
Beta Particles http://gopher.princeton.edu/~ehs/radtrain/modules/basics.html#beta
Sources of Radiation + X-Ray machines (EM - waves) + Accelerators (EM & Particles) + Radioactive Material (Radionuclides) (EM & Particles)
Radioactive Decay http://gopher.princeton.edu/~ehs/radtrain/modules/basics.html#decay
Units for Radioactive Material http://gopher.princeton.edu/~ehs/radtrain/modules/basics.html#decay
Stopping Ionizing Radiation http://gopher.princeton.edu/~ehs/radtrain/modules/basics.html#decay
Atomic Weapons
Atomic Weapons + Prompt gamma and neutron radiation + Fallout of alpha, beta, and gamma emitting radionuclides + Severe and prompt deaths within a relatively small area
Dirty Bombs
Dirty 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 Dose 10 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 the absorbed 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 Detect Different 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
Personal Dosimeters & Hand-Held Detectors Pocket Dosimeter Whole Body & Ring Badges Response Kit Geiger Counters http://www.ludlums.com/product.htm http://landauerinc.com/frm2.htm
Air Sampling Monitors Portable Air Sampler Personal Air Sampler http://www.fjspecialty.com/homeland/