Nuclear Radiation Theory
Biological Effects
Protection Measures
UofL Radiation Safety Program
Radiation Safety Potpourri
100
Alpha radiation presents an external hazard. True or False?
Answer: False - Alpha particles will only travel a few cm in air and cannot penetrate skin. However, if they are inhaled or enter the body they present an internal hazard.
100
Nuclear radiation is ___________ and may create free radicals which can damage DNA.
Answer: Ionizing
100
The ALARA concept means
"As Low As Reasonably Achievable"
100
Who is the RSO at UofL?
Carolin Cattoi-Demkiw
100
A Becquerel is defined as ___________________.
Answer: one disintegration per second
200
What is Bremsstrahlung Radiation and how can it be produced?
Answer: Brem is secondary x-ray radiation. It can be produced by causing a fast moving electron (Beta particle) to come to a stop or change directions. This can happen when P-32 is shielded with lead (dense material) rather than glass or Plexiglas.
200
A fetus is most susceptible to the damaging effects of radiation in _______ .
Answer: the first trimester
200
Three measures that should be taken to prevent external exposures to radiation are: __________, __________, and ____________.
Answer: time, distance and shielding
200
_____________ _____________ are staff and students who are approved users of radionuclides.
Answer: Authorized Workers
200
Radioisotopes may enter the body via 4 routes of entry:
1) inhalation 2) ingestion 3) skin absorption 4) open wounds
300
P-32 is a high energy beta emitter. True or False.
Answer: True
300
Define radiation dose rate.
Answer: the amount of radiation an individual is exposed to per unit of time
300
When working with P-32, Plexiglas shielding should be used.
Answer: True - All stocks, sub-stocks, work areas, waste containers, etc. must be shielded.
300
Radiation Safety Training has two parts: Generic and Lab-Specific. Who is responsible for providing the Lab-Specific training?
Answer: The internal permit holder (PI).
300
What are two types of surface contamination?
Answer: Fixed and Loose (Removable)
400
Beta radiation from 60 GBq of Tritium is sufficient quantity to be measured with a Geiger Mueller detector.
Answer: False - Beta particles emitted by Tritium do not have sufficient energy to be detected with a GM detector, no matter what the quantity!
400
The risk of developing a fatal cancer as a result of exposure to radiation is thought to be approximately __ % per 1000 mSv.
Answer: 4%
400
Standard Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that must be worn in a radioisotope laboratory are:
Answer: Lab coat, safety glasses and gloves.
400
The purchase of radioactive material, including lending some to another research group, does not require RSO approval if the purchaser or the lendee have a permit approved by the Radiation Safety Committee. True or False?
Answer: False - All purchases, transfers, acquisitions need to be approved by the RSO.
400
Personal radiation exposure is measured by using _______
Answer: dosimeters (e.g. TLD).
500
What is Radiation?
Answer: Radiation is energy in motion in the form of waves or streams of particles.
500
There is a delay between exposure to the radiation and the onset of cancer. This delay is known as the __________ __________.
Answer: latency period - E.g. For leukemia, it is about 8 years. For other cancers, it can be much longer.
500
What are the two principle methods of radiation detection? 1) ______ method – using portable radiation survey meters 2) ______ method – wipes tests using filter paper, swabs and a scintillation or gamma counter
DIRECT method – using portable radiation survey meters INDIRECT method – wipes tests using filter paper, swabs and a scintillation or gamma counter
500
The CNSC requires that the following three components of a Radiation Safety Program are in place:
Answer: 1) The Radiation Safety Committee 2) Radiation Safety Officer 3) Radiation Safety Policy and Procedures Manual
500
The University's 24 hour emergency number is ________?
Answer: (403) 329-2345 - Security Services
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