11017133/0409 Copyright ©2004 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. BLR’s Safety Training Presentations Ionizing Radiation 29 CFR 1910.1096

11017133/0409 Copyright ©2004 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

BLR’s Safety TrainingPresentations

Ionizing Radiation29 CFR 1910.1096


Goals

Ionizing Radiation and Health Effects Preventing and Reducing Exposure Quiz


Ionizing Radiation

Electrons removed from atoms Unstable atoms or radioactive decay Natural or by human activities Alpha and beta particles, gamma rays X rays


Alpha Particles

Positively charged Emitted from uranium and radium Do not penetrate far Not a hazard outside the body Harmful if ingested or inhaled


Beta Particles

Positive or negative electrons Emitted from tritium, carbon-14,

strontium-90 Capable of penetrating skin More hazardous when inhaled or ingested Stopped by clothing or aluminum foil


Gamma Rays

Packets of energy called photons No charge or mass, very penetrating Emitted from potassium-40, plutonium-239 Absorbed by tissue Only stopped by thick concrete or lead


X Rays

High-energy photons Like gamma rays,

with different origin Lower energy,

less penetrating X-ray machines in medicine and industry Largest source of manmade radiation


Sources of Radiation

Natural radiation–Sun, cosmic rays–Elements in the earth’s crust

Manmade radiation–Medical facilities–Nuclear reactors–Radioactive waste–Consumer products


Ionizing Radiation In Health Care

Used in diagnosis, treatment, and lab work

Radioactivity from exposure Exposure from equipment Exposure from storage

and disposal Avoid overexposure


Potential Health Effects

Depends on level of exposure

Affects the person exposed

Can affect future generations

Massive tissue damage and death


Results of Exposure

Cell damage or cell death Abnormal cells—cancer Damage depends on time, dose, and

organ exposed Evidence of exposure may not be

noticed for years Long-term vs. short-term exposure Causes other than radiation


Chronic Exposure

Low levels of radiation over a long time period

Effects observed some time after initial exposure

Genetic effects, cancer, lesions, tumors, cataracts, congenital defects


Acute Exposure

Large, single dose of radiation

Accidents or special medical procedures

Immediate effects—radiation sickness

Delayed effects—cataracts, sterility, cancer Death within a few hours or days


Risks of Health Effects

Background levels of radiation

Radiation accumulation More cancer as exposure

increases Effects of low exposures

are only estimates No radiation exposure is risk free


Goals



Radiation in Restricted Areas

Limits of exposure: 11/4 rems: Whole body

183/4 rems: Hands and feet

71/2 rems: Skin


Radiation Areas

Radiation Area–5 millirem dose in 1 hour–“Caution – Radiation Area”

High Radiation Area–100 millirem dose in 1 hour–“Caution – High Radiation Area”–Control device or alarm


Effects of Whole-Body Dosages

1 rem—no detectable effects

10-20 rems—reduced white blood cells

600 rems—disability and death

0.0004 rem/day background


Stay Within Exposure Limits

Stay below permissible exposure levels

Wear monitoring devices

Record and report measurements


Avoid Radiation Exposure

Limit exposure time Shield radiation source Wear PPE Stay behind a

protective shield


PPE

Protective clothing Lead aprons Leaded goggles Gloves


Evacuation Warning Signal

75 decibels Unique in the facility Minimum duration Sounds automatically Power back-up


Notification of Incidents to OSHA

Immediately 24 hours

Whole body: 25 rems 5 rems

Skin exposed: 150 rems 30 rems

Feet or hands: 375 rems 75 rems


Medical Surveillance

Medical clearance Periodic checkups Medical records

review Notification if

overexposed


Goals



Summary

Learn about ionizing radiation Know about the sources of radiation

in your workplace Stay out of restricted areas Wear PPE Recognize the evacuation signal


Quiz

1. Why are alpha emitting substances not a serious hazard when outside the body?

2. What can stop beta particles?

3. What type of ionizing radiation can only be stopped by thick concrete or lead?

4. What is the largest source of manmade radiation?

5. How does radiation exposure impact future generations?

6. Name some immediate effects of acute exposure.


Quiz (cont.)

7. What is an effect of a 10-20 rem exposure?

8. Name a way to avoid radiation exposure.

9. What does radiation protective clothing contain?

10. How loud should the evacuation warning alarm be?


Quiz Answers

1. Alpha particles are absorbed by the outer, dead layer of skin and do not penetrate

2. Clothing or aluminum foil

3. Gamma rays

4. X rays

5. Damages cell DNA, causing genetic mutations in future generations

6. Radiation sickness—gastrointestinal disorders, bacterial infections, hemorrhaging, anemia, etc.


Quiz Answers (cont.)

7. Reduced white blood cell count

8. Wear PPE, stay behind protective shields

9. Lead

10. At least 75 decibels

Documents

11017133/0409 Copyright ©2004 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. BLR’s Safety Training Presentations Ionizing Radiation 29 CFR 1910.1096