Ionizing radiation: protection from radiation (measures and means)

Quantum fluxes of electromagnetic fields (photons) and elementary particles (corpuscles) cause ionizing radiation. Protection from radiation is extremely important. This is due to the fact that during its movement through any substance such a stream ionizes all its molecules and atoms.

Natural radioactive background

Ionizing radiation as a natural phenomenon is present everywhere. It comes to our Earth from outer space. It is located in the water, getting there from the air. Radioactive isotopes of cosmic origin penetrate into living organisms during food intake and stay in them.

From the very beginning of the existence of our planet, it had a natural ionizing radiation. Protection from emissions of this type is not required, and it is simply impossible to avoid them. Natural natural radiation accompanies a person constantly, without causing damage to health.

Application of ionizing radiation

Radioactivity as a physical phenomenon was discovered in 1896. To date, it has been applied in various areas of human activity. So, in the energy complex of many countries, a significant place is given to nuclear power plants. Radioactive radiation is also widely used in medicine. With its help, the diagnosis of diseases and internal organs, as well as radiotherapy in the treatment of oncology. With the help of a number of radioactive substances, metabolic processes in the body are studied, and the work of internal organs is examined.

Apply a peaceful atom and for the purpose of industrial defectoscopy. Here, radioactive substances are placed in various control devices.

All of us are familiar with the sign "exit", installed in airplanes and buildings. It contains radioactive tritium. Thanks to this substance, such a sign has the ability to glow in the dark even in the event of an emergency power outage. Radioactive americium is found in many fire alarm devices installed in public buildings and residential buildings.

Effects on the body

Depending on its energy spectrum, radioactive radiation may have a different ionizing and penetrating ability. The nature of this property will determine the effect of the flow on the living organism. Particles passing through a biological object secrete a certain energy. At its sufficiently high values, chemical bonds of molecules and atoms are destroyed. In other words, the very functioning of all cells, of which living tissue consists, breaks the ionizing radiation. Protection from radiation in this case is extremely important. It will save a person's health.

Negative Effects

Ionizing radiation can have a physical effect on the human body. Its manifestation is chronic and acute radiation sickness, as well as focal radiation injuries. In some cases, radioactive particles have a somato-stochastic effect. It manifests itself in impaired development of the fetus, the appearance of malignant tumors, decreased life expectancy and genetic malfunctions.

Kinds of irradiation

The source of the stream of radioactive particles can be outside the human body. In this case, external irradiation occurs.

Radioactive elements can enter our body from food, water and air. In this case, internal irradiation will be present. It also negatively affects our health.

What is the protection from radioactive flux

The basic principles of protection from ionizing radiation are concluded in:

• Observance of the basic dose limits;
• Reduction to the lowest possible level of radiation dose;
• Excluding even the slightest unreasonable exposure.

Personnel working with radioactive elements must undergo systematic monitoring. The purpose of this activity is to determine the dose of human exposure . The scope of such control should be directly dependent on the nature of the employee's work with radioactive substances. Each of the operators who have contact with the sources of the particle flow must have an individual dosimeter. This device is necessary for monitoring the radiation dose received by a person.

Conducting measures to limit the impact of radioactive flux

How are the basic principles of protection from ionizing radiation realized? They are carried out in the following ways:

• Reduction in the power of radiation sources (number protection);
• Shortening the time of the source (time protection);
• Increasing the distance from the operator's position to the source (distance protection);
• Installation of protective screens from materials capable of absorbing particle flows (shielding);
• Implementation of therapeutic and preventive and organizational-technical complex measures.

All of the above are the main methods of protection against ionizing radiation. For their implementation it is desirable not only to use robots and manipulators in certain situations, but also to fully automate the technological process.

Methods of protection against ionizing radiation include in their list the use of various personal protective equipment, as well as the installation of warning signs of radiation hazard.

Room equipment

Protection from exposure to ionizing radiation is part of ensuring safe working conditions. In those rooms where personnel work with radioactive substances, general control is necessary, allowing the intensity of various types of radiation to be determined . These rooms or plots are necessarily equipped with a system of supply and exhaust ventilation, which has a multiplicity of air exchange of at least five. In addition, these rooms must be isolated from all others.

Where there is work with ionizing streams, doors, ceilings, floors and walls must have a special device. It ensures the impossibility of accumulating radioactive dust and the lack of probability of absorption of radioactive liquids, vapors and aerosols by finishing materials. To do this, when finishing the premises use PVC, linoleum, oil paints, etc. Taking all possible measures to protect against ionizing radiation, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the building structures of the room. On them there should be no cracks and chips. In addition, the corners in such rooms necessarily round off. This makes it possible to eliminate places of accumulation of radioactive dust and greatly facilitates the cleaning.

Wash the room, which works with ionizing radiation, should be daily. Mandatory and monthly general cleaning of such areas. It involves washing windows, walls, furniture, equipment and doors using hot soapy water.

Use of personal protective equipment

Personnel working with radioactive substances should be dressed in special clothes. It completely protects the body from alpha radiation. In addition, it will not miss a part of the beta, gamma or X-ray flux of particles. Other means of protection from ionizing radiation are anti-contamination suits and gloves, boots and hoods, goggles, and lead aprons. All of them are used to preserve human health under external irradiation. A specific list of personal protective equipment depends on the power of ionizing radiation.

With insignificant contamination, the employee is given dressing gowns and overalls, as well as hats sewn from cotton fabric. A higher level of radioactivity requires additionally to wear film clothing in the form of armlets, trousers, gown, apron, etc., which is made of plastic. Hands in this case protect rubber leaded gloves.

With a significant degree of radioactive contamination, personnel are given spacesuits (pneumatic suits) made of plastic materials and having flexible hoses, through which air is supplied. In equipping such special clothing can be a stationary oxygen device.

The organs of vision will protect glasses from ionizing radiation, into which special glasses containing tungsten, lead or phosphate are inserted. Special means are used when working with alpha and beta radiation. They are shields made of organic glass.

Radioactive particles that enter the body are able to accumulate there. This leads to the appearance of internal irradiation. Such an impact threatens the appearance of various pathologies.

Individual means of protection against ionizing radiation can reduce the number of radioactive elements entering the human body through the respiratory tract.

Reducing the distance to the source

Safe working conditions with radioactive substances are created only when complex protection against ionizing radiation is used. At the same time, specific measures aimed at preserving human health will depend on the type of source and the conditions of the production process.

Types of protection against ionizing radiation are different, but the simplest and at the same time reliable of them is protection by distance. This is due to the fact that the radiation is able to lose the power of its energy. And this happens as the distance from the source increases.

Use of special screens

The methods of protection from ionizing radiation imply the application of not only individual but also collective means. The requirements for the latter are regulated by GOST 12.4.120-83. This normative document provides a specific list of collective remedies, which include:

• Mobile and fixed screens;
• Protective boxes and safes;
• Special containers in which the sources of radiation are stored and transported, etc.

An effective way to protect a person from the negative impact of a stream of radioactive particles is the installation of special fences. They are special screens of different thicknesses. They are made from special materials that trap particles. The main purpose of such screens is to reduce to the permissible radiation standards in the workplace. Sometimes work with radiation sources is conducted in special cells. In such rooms, screens will serve as floor and walls, as well as the ceiling, which are made of special materials.

Other types of collective protective equipment

In factories where gamma-radiation sources are stored, special safes are used. The material for their manufacture is steel and lead.

Work with radioactive elements that have alpha or beta activity is carried out in protective glove boxes. Collective means of safety include special collections and containers in which radioactive waste is placed . As a material for their manufacture use steel, organic glass, lead, etc.

Protection of the population

After major accidents at production facilities that use sources of radioactive particles, ionizing radiation can spread to significant areas. Protection from radiation in this case concerns the entire population living in the disaster zone. Taking certain measures is extremely important for preserving not only health, but also people's lives.

Protection of the population from ionizing radiation is to bring to each person certain recommendations. To execute them, you should:

• Hide behind the walls of an apartment building, which significantly reduce the level of ionizing radiation;
• - seal the doorways and frames, and also close the ventilation pane to prevent the penetration of radioactive elements with the air flow;
• Stock up on drinking water and shut off the taps;
• Conduct iodine prophylaxis;
• Collect things, medicines and documents that will be needed if evacuation is necessary.

Methods of protection from ionizing radiation when moving through open terrain should include the protection of the respiratory system. To do this, you can use such tools as a towel, a piece of clothing, a handkerchief or a gauze dressing, which must be pre-moistened with water. Protect from the negative effects of radiation will also need skin. It should be kept as close to clothing as possible. The hair covering will protect any headgear.