Radiation in the home, is it safe?

Insert NameTrinity Section

American Nuclear Society

What is Radiation? Natural and man-

made Studied for over

100 years Particles and Rays Different effects

for different radiations

Not all radiation is harmful

What kinds of radiation are there?

Alpha Particles— Helium nucleus

Beta Particles – An energetic electron emitted from the nucleus

X-Rays Light wave emitted from the electrons in an

atom

Gamma Rays— Light wave emitted from the nucleus

How do we measure exposure?

Geiger-Mueller Tube Demo

Ionization Chambers

TLD for personnel exposures

Where can radiation be found?

Nuclear Reactors Power plants Nuclear Waste

Nature Naturally occurring Fallout from

atmospheric testing Homes

Radon Building Materials

Nuclear Reactors Power plants

Palo Verde

Waste Spent fuel Low-level waste

Radiation in the environment Natural

Uranium and Thorium in the soil

Radon gas

Fallout Atmospheric

testing CTBT in effect

1963

Is There Radiation in the Home?

Radon Colorless, odorless

gas Affects homes

nationwide Building Materials

Concrete By-product

gypsum Granite

Is anything else radioactive in the home?

The answer is yes!

Radiation in the home

Smoke detectors Foods

Salt substitute Banana’s

Fire Exit Signs People

Smoke detectors In almost every

home

Use radiation to determine if there is smoke

Foods are naturally radioactive? Irradiated food is

not radioactive Contains potassium

or other element that is naturally radioactive

Element is taken up during digestion into the body

Exit Signs In use since 1920 Contains tritium gas Beta particles hit

zinc sulfide for light No electricity

required or batteries Special disposal

required

People Humans are

naturally radioactive Within the body is:

Uranium, thorium, potassium, carbon, and tritium

Over 12,000 decays per second

Should I be concerned with radiation?

Radiation is radiation Natural vs. Man-made

Been around for as long as man

High dose effects--known

Low dose effects—not clear

Radiation Exposure “Normally” receive

300 mrem per year Same as 30 chest x-

rays Workers allowed up

to 5000 mrem/year Public exposure

must be less than 500 mrem/year

Calculated your annual exposure of radiation

Handout of Measure your radiation exposure

Discuss your exposure level

Conclusions Three types of radiation

Alpha, Beta and Gamma (X-ray) Characteristics of Radiation

Half-Life, Penetrating Power, Type, and Isotope

Radiation can be found: Everywhere

Conclusions

Radiation in the home Food Building Materials Exit Signs Smoke Detectors People

Conclusions Radiation

Can be detected High level effects known Low Level effects still debated

Annual Exposure 300 mrem/year Varies widely