Radiation Safety (AQA A Level Physics): Revision Note

Exam code: 7408

Katie M

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Katie M

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Safe Handling of Radioactive Sources

  • The risk associated with radioactive materials depends on the amount and type of radiation

    • For example, alpha radiation is more ionising than gamma radiation but less penetrating

  • The damage done by exposure to radiation can be described by the received radiation dose or dose equivalent

  • Dose equivalent, measured in Sieverts (Sv), depends on

    • The amount of energy absorbed per kilogram of a body

    • The type of radiation absorbed

  • To minimise the received radiation dose of a sample:

    • Short-lived isotopes are preferred to long-lived ones

    • The smaller the sample of radioactive material, the better

Radiation-Hazard-Symbol

The radiation hazard warning safety symbol is used to warn about hazardous materials, locations or objects in the near vicinity

  • Precautions must be taken to reduce the risk of harm when using radioactive sources. These include:

    • Keeping radioactive sources shielded when not in use, for example in a lead-lined box

    • Wearing protective clothing to prevent the body from becoming contaminated

    • Keeping personal items outside of the room to prevent them from becoming contaminated

    • Limiting exposure time so less time is spent with radioactive materials

    • Handling radioactive materials with long tongs to increase the distance from them

    • Monitoring the exposure of workers, such as radiographers, using detector badges

Radiation in Medicine

Radiation Therapy

  • Gamma radiation can be used to destroy cancerous tumours

    • The gamma rays are concentrated on the tumour to protect the surrounding tissue

  • Less penetrating beta radiation can be used to treat skin cancer by direct application to the affected area

Radiation Therapy 1, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes
Radiation Therapy 2, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

A radiotherapy machine. Powerful radiation is directed at the tumour and lead sheets can be used to prevent healthy tissue from being damaged

  • Precautions for the patient:

    • The patient should be protected with lead to cover parts of the body not to be exposed to radiation

    • The exact dose should be calculated carefully

    • The dose should be directed very accurately at the cancerous tissue to minimise damage to healthy tissue

  • Precautions for the radiographer:

    • The radiographer should handle the source remotely with tongs or a machine

    • The radiographer should be protected by a screen

    • The radiographer should be a long way from the source while the dose is given

    • The source should be immediately stored in its lead case once the dose is given

Radioactive Tracers

  • Radioisotopes can be used as ‘tracers’ to monitor the processes occurring in different parts of the body

  • Radioactive tracers with a short half-life are preferred because:

    • Initially, the activity is very high, so only a small sample needed

    • The shorter the half-life, the faster the isotope decays

    • Isotopes with a shorter half-life pose a much lower risk to the patient

    • The medical test doesn‘t last long so a half-life of a few hours is enough

Radioactive Tracer, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

A radioactive tracer must be injected into the patient in order to take PET scan images of brain activity

  • One example is Iodine-131

    • This isotope is known to be specifically taken up by the thyroid gland making it useful for monitoring and treating thyroid conditions

    • It emits beta particles which means it will stay concentrated on the thyroid area and nowhere else in the body

    • It has a short half-life of 8 days meaning it will not be around too long to cause prolonged exposure

  • Another isotope commonly used as a tracer is Technetium-99m

    • It is a gamma emitter with an energy of about 140 keV which is ideal for detection

    • It has a half-life of 6 hours so it is ideal for use as a tracer, but will not remain active for too long and can be tolerated by the body

    • Gamma radiation is ideal as it is the most penetrating so it can be detected outside the body

    • Also, gamma is the weakest ioniser and causes minimal damage

    • As well as this, technetium-99m may be prepared easily at the hospital when required making it a cost-effective treatment

Sterilising Medical Equipment

  • Gamma radiation is widely used to sterilise medical equipment

  • Gamma is most suited to this because:

    • It is the most penetrating out of all the types of radiation

    • It is penetrating enough to irradiate all sides of the instruments

    • Instruments can be sterilised without removing the packaging

  • The general public might be worried that using gamma radiation in this way might cause the equipment itself to become radioactive, however, this is not the case because:

    • In order for a substance to become radioactive, the nuclei have to be affected

    • Ionising radiation only affects the outer electrons and not the nucleus

    • The radioactive material is kept securely sealed away from the packaged equipment so there is no chance of contamination

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Katie M

Author: Katie M

Expertise: Physics Content Creator

Katie has always been passionate about the sciences, and completed a degree in Astrophysics at Sheffield University. She decided that she wanted to inspire other young people, so moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science. She particularly loves creating fun and absorbing materials to help students achieve their exam potential.

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