Table of Contents
- 1 What happens if you ingest radioactive material?
- 2 What equipment should be used to handle radioactive sources?
- 3 What are the three key factors for limiting exposure to radiation?
- 4 What are the 3 cardinal rules for radiation protection?
- 5 What kind of equipment do you need for radioisotope work?
- 6 When to notify EHS if radioactive materials are missing?
What happens if you ingest radioactive material?
When you ingest radioactive material, as the material decays, some of the radiation will hit the cells in your body and perhaps do damage and increase the chances of cancer — if there’s a sufficient amount of materials. “Radioactive” does not mean it’s deadly or dangerous.
What safety precautions are used when working with radioactive sources?
When handling radioactive materials, always wear the appropriate protective clothing:
- wear a lab coat.
- always wear gloves when handling radioactive substances.
- wear shoe covers in rooms where the floor may be contaminated.
- keep personal items such as handbags, etc., outside the lab.
What equipment should be used to handle radioactive sources?
Working with radioactive material The minimum requirements include a laboratory coat, gloves, safety glasses and close-toed shoes. Wear whole-body dosimeters (e.g. Luxel dosimeter) when handling radioactive material and extremity dosimeters (e.g. finger ring), if one is provided by the RPO.
What are the radiation protection devices?
Examples of commonly used PPE for radiation protection from X-rays and gamma rays include:
- Lead aprons or vests. Wearing lead aprons can reduce a worker’s radiation dose.
- Lead thyroid collar.
- Lead gloves.
- Safety goggles.
What are the three key factors for limiting exposure to radiation?
For reducing radiation exposure, there are 3 principals: time, distance, and shielding.
- Time. Radiation exposure can be accumulated over the time of exposure.
- Distance. A greater distance from the radiation source can reduce radiation exposure.
- Shielding.
What are the three principles of radiation protection?
For reducing radiation exposure, there are 3 principals: time, distance, and shielding.
What are the 3 cardinal rules for radiation protection?
To do this, you can use three basic protective measures in radiation safety: time, distance, and shielding.
Can you touch natural uranium?
Uranium is, however, chemically toxic (as are all heavy metals). Therefore, it should not be consumed or handled with bare hands. The low specific activity Bqg can be explained with the large half-life of the isotopes.
What kind of equipment do you need for radioisotope work?
Dedicated Equipment: Your radioisotope work area should have a set of equipment that is only used for radioactive material work. Depending on your protocol, this may include pipettors, a microcentrifuge, timers, mixers, a water bath, etc.
What should you avoid when handling radioactive materials?
Petroleum-Based Hand Creams: Avoid using petroleum-based hand creams when wearing gloves because petroleum-based hand creams may increase glove permeability. No Eating or Drinking: Do not eat or drink in any room labeled with a Caution: Radioactive Materials sign on the door.
When to notify EHS if radioactive materials are missing?
Missing Materials: If you discover that radioactive material is missing or lost and cannot be accounted for, notify EHS no later than the next business day. Room Labeling: EHS labels radioisotope use rooms with Caution Radioactive Material signs.
What kind of gloves do you need to work with radioactive materials?
Required PPE: For any work with an open radioactive source, wear: disposable gloves (latex or nitrile gloves are generally suitable) a full-length lab coat (worn closed with sleeves rolled down) close-toed shoes. Never wear sandals or other open-toed shoes while working with radioactivity.