The fluxes of quanta of electromagnetic fields (photons) and elementary particles (corpuscles) cause ionizing radiation. Radiation protection is crucial. This is due to the fact that when it moves through any substance, such a stream ionizes all its molecules and atoms.
Natural radioactive background
Ionizing radiation as a natural phenomenon is present everywhere. It comes to our Earth from space. It is also in the water, getting there from the air. Radioactive isotopes of cosmic origin penetrate into living organisms during meals and linger in them.
From the very beginning of our planet’s existence, it has had natural ionizing radiation. Protection from this type of radiation is not required, and it is simply impossible to avoid it. Natural natural radiation accompanies a person constantly, without causing damage to health.
The use of ionizing radiation
Radioactivity as a physical phenomenon was discovered in 1896. To date, it has found application in various fields of human activity. So, in the energy complex of many countries, a significant place is given to nuclear power plants. Radioactive radiation is also widely used in medicine. With its help, diagnostics of diseases and internal organs, as well as radiation therapy sessions in the treatment of oncology are carried out. With the help of a number of radioactive substances, metabolic processes in the body are studied, the work of internal organs is investigated.
A peaceful atom is also used for industrial flaw detection. Here, radioactive substances are placed in various control devices.
We are all familiar with the “exit” sign installed in airplanes and buildings. It contains radioactive tritium. Thanks to this substance, such a sign has the ability to glow in the dark even in the event of an emergency power outage. Radioactive americium is contained in many fire alarm devices installed in public buildings and residential buildings.
Effects on the body
Depending on its energy spectrum, radioactive radiation can have different ionizing and penetrating properties. The effect of the flow on a living organism will depend on the nature of this property. Particles passing through a biological object emit a certain energy. At its sufficiently high values, the chemical bonds of molecules and atoms are destroyed. In other words, the very functioning of all the cells that make up living tissue disrupts ionizing radiation. Protection against radiation in this case is extremely important. It will help keep a person healthy.
Negative effects
Ionizing radiation can have a somatic effect on the human body. Its manifestation is chronic and acute radiation sickness, as well as focal radiation injuries. In some cases, the radioactive particles have a somato-stochastic effect. It manifests itself in a violation of the development of the fetus, the appearance of malignant tumors, a decrease in life expectancy and genetic malfunctions.
Types of exposure
The source of the stream of radioactive particles may be outside the human body. In this case, external exposure occurs.
Radioactive elements can enter our body from food, water and air. In this case, internal radiation will be present. It also negatively affects our health.
What is the protection against radioactive flux?
The basic principles of protection against ionizing radiation are:
- compliance with the main dose limits;
- reduction to the lowest possible radiation dose level;
- the exclusion of even the slightest unreasonable exposure.
Personnel working with radioactive elements must undergo systematic monitoring. The purpose of this event is to determine the dose of human exposure. The amount of such control should be directly dependent on the nature of the employee’s work with radioactive substances. Each of the operators in contact with the sources of particle flux must have an individual dosimeter. This device is necessary to control the dose received by a person.
Measures to limit exposure to radioactive flux
How are the basic principles of protection against ionizing radiation implemented? They are carried out in the following ways:
- reducing the power of radiation sources (quantity protection);
- reducing the source’s runtime (time protection);
- increasing the distance from the operator’s place to the source (protection by distance);
- installation of protective shields made of materials capable of absorbing particle flows (shielding);
- the implementation of therapeutic and organizational and technical complex measures.
All of the above are the main methods of protection against ionizing radiation. For their implementation, it is desirable not only to use robots and manipulators in certain situations, but also to completely automate the process.
Methods of protection against ionizing radiation include the use of various personal protective equipment, as well as the installation of radiation warning signs.
Room equipment
Protection against exposure to ionizing radiation is part of ensuring safe working conditions. In those rooms where personnel work with radioactive substances, a general control is needed to establish the intensity of various types of radiation. These rooms or sections are certainly equipped with a supply and exhaust ventilation system having an air exchange of at least five. In addition, these premises must be isolated from everyone else.
Where work is carried out with ionizing flows, doors, ceilings, floors and walls should have a special device. It ensures the impossibility of the accumulation of radioactive dust and the absence of the likelihood of absorption of finishing materials of radioactive liquids, vapors and aerosols. To do this, when decorating the premises, use PVC, linoleum, oil paints, etc. Taking all possible measures of protection against ionizing radiation, it is necessary to monitor the condition of building structures of the room. They should not have any cracks and chips. In addition, the corners in such rooms must be rounded. This eliminates the accumulation of radioactive dust and greatly facilitates cleaning.
Wash the room in which work with ionizing radiation is carried out daily. Mandatory and monthly general cleaning of such sites. It involves washing windows, walls, furniture, equipment and doors using hot soapy water.
Use of personal protective equipment
Personnel working with radioactive substances should wear special clothing. It will completely protect the body from alpha radiation. In addition, part of the beta, gamma, or X-ray flux of particles will not be missed. Other means of protection against ionizing radiation are anti-contamination suits and gloves, boots and hoods, glasses, and lead aprons. All of them are used to maintain human health with external exposure. The specific list of personal protective equipment depends on the power of ionizing radiation.
In case of slight pollution, the employee is given bathrobes and overalls, as well as hats sewn from cotton fabric. A higher level of radioactivity requires additionally to put on film clothing in the form of sleeves, trousers, a dressing gown, an apron, etc., which is made of plastic. Hands in this case protect rubber lead gloves.
With a significant degree of radioactive contamination, personnel are given spacesuits (pneumatic suits) made of plastic materials and having flexible hoses through which air is supplied. In the equipment of such overalls can be a stationary oxygen apparatus.
The organs of vision will protect glasses from ionizing radiation, into which special glasses containing tungsten, lead or phosphate are inserted. Special tools are used when working with alpha and beta radiation. They are organic glass shields.
Radioactive particles that enter the body can accumulate there. This leads to the appearance of internal exposure. Such an impact threatens the appearance of various pathologies.
Individual protective equipment against ionizing radiation can reduce the amount of radioactive elements entering the human body through the respiratory tract.
Reducing the distance to the source
Safe working conditions with radioactive substances are created only when integrated protection against the effects of ionizing radiation is applied. Moreover, specific measures aimed at maintaining human health will depend on the type of source and the conditions of the production process.
The types of protection against ionizing radiation are different, but the simplest and most reliable of them is distance protection. This is due to the fact that radiation is capable of losing the power of its energy. And this happens as the distance from the source increases.
Using special screens
Methods of protection against ionizing radiation involve the use of not only individual, but also collective means. The requirements for the latter are regulated by GOST 12.4.120-83. This regulatory document provides a specific list of collective remedies, which include:
- mobile and stationary screens;
- protective boxes and safes;
- special containers in which storage and transportation of radiation sources, etc.
An effective way to protect a person from the negative effects of a stream of radioactive particles is to install special fences. They are special screens of various thicknesses. They are made from special materials that delay the flow of particles. The main purpose of such screens is to reduce to an acceptable radiation rate at the workplace. Sometimes work with radiation sources is carried out in special chambers. In such rooms, the screens will be the floor and walls, as well as the ceiling, which are made of special materials.
Other types of collective protective equipment
In industries where gamma radiation sources are stored, special safes are used. The material for their manufacture are steel and lead.
Work with radioactive elements that have alpha or beta activity is carried out in protective glove boxes. Collective safety features include special collectors and containers in which radioactive waste is placed . As the material for their manufacture, steel, organic glass, lead, etc. are used.
Public protection
After major accidents at plants using sources of radioactive particles, ionizing radiation can spread to large areas. Protection against radiation in this case applies to the entire population living in the disaster area. The adoption of certain measures is extremely important to preserve not only health, but also the lives of people.
Protection of the population from ionizing radiation is to bring certain recommendations to each person. To execute them:
- take cover behind the walls of a residential building, which significantly reduce the level of ionizing radiation;
- -Tighten doorways and frames, as well as close the vents to prevent the penetration of radioactive elements with the air stream;
- stock up with drinking water and turn off taps;
- carry out iodine prophylaxis;
- to collect things, medicines and documents that will be needed if necessary evacuation.
Ways to protect against ionizing radiation when moving around an open area should include respiratory protection. For this purpose, improvised means such as a towel, a piece of clothing, a handkerchief or a gauze bandage that should be pre-moistened with water can be used. Skin will be needed to protect from the negative effects of radiation. She should be covered with clothes as much as possible. Hair cover will protect any headgear.