Basic Radiation Safety Basic Radiation Safety Awareness TrainingAwareness Training

Radiation Safety ProgramRadiation Safety Program

713-500-5840713-500-5840

Environmental Health and SafetyEnvironmental Health and Safety

OutlineOutline History of RadiationHistory of Radiation Natural & Man-Made Background Sources Natural & Man-Made Background Sources

of Radiation of Radiation FundamentalsFundamentals Exposure Limits & RegulationsExposure Limits & Regulations Detection of RadiationDetection of Radiation Safe Practices with RadiationSafe Practices with Radiation Biological Effects of RadiationBiological Effects of Radiation Where to Find Further InformationWhere to Find Further Information

First Known Human Use of First Known Human Use of UraniumUranium

79 A D79 A D Roman artisans Roman artisans

produce yellow produce yellow colored glass in colored glass in mosaic mural near mosaic mural near Naples, ItalyNaples, Italy

Radium Effects ConfirmedRadium Effects Confirmed

19251925 Suspicions develop Suspicions develop

around watch dial around watch dial painters’ jaw lesionspainters’ jaw lesions

Dentists diagnose Dentists diagnose lesions as jaw necrosis lesions as jaw necrosis due to radium due to radium deposits in jaw bonedeposits in jaw bone

Doctor notes bone Doctor notes bone changes and anemia changes and anemia in dial paintersin dial painters

What is Radiation?What is Radiation?

Radiation: energy in motion

Radioactivity: spontaneous emission of radiation from the nucleus of an unstable atom

Isotope: atoms with the same number of protons, but different number of neutrons

Radioisotope: unstable isotope of an element that decays or disintegrates spontaneously, emitting radiation. Approximately 5,000 natural and artificial radioisotopes have been identified

Types of RadiationTypes of Radiation

Non-Ionizing Radiation: Radiation that does not have sufficient energy to dislodge orbital electrons.

Examples of non-ionizing radiation: microwaves, ultraviolet light, lasers, radio waves, infrared light, and radar.

Ionizing Radiation: Radiation that has sufficient energy to dislodge orbital electrons.

Examples of ionizing radiation: alpha particles, beta particles, neutrons, gamma rays, and x-rays.

Radiation SpectrumRadiation Spectrum

RadioactiveWaste

Radon

X-Rays

ConsumerProducts

NuclearPower

Nuclear Medicine

Solar RadiationCosmic Rays

TerrestrialRadiation

Food &Drink

Each Other

RADIOACTIVE SOURCESRADIOACTIVE SOURCES

Terrestrial RadiationTerrestrial Radiation

Common radionuclides created during formation of earth:

–Radioactive Potassium (K-40) found in bananas, throughout the human body, in plant fertilizer and anywhere else stable potassium exists.

–Radioactive Rubidium (Rb-87) is found in brazil nuts among other things.

Terrestrial radiation comes from radioactivity emitting from Primordial radio nuclides - these are radio nuclides left over from when the earth was created.

Terrestrial RadiationTerrestrial Radiation

Greatest contributor is Greatest contributor is 226226Ra (Radium) with Ra (Radium) with significant levels also from significant levels also from 238238U, U, 232232Th, and Th, and 4040K.K. Igneous rock contains the highest Igneous rock contains the highest

concentration followed by sedimentary, concentration followed by sedimentary, sandstone and limestone.sandstone and limestone.

Fly ash from coal burning plants contains more Fly ash from coal burning plants contains more radiation than that of nuclear or oil-fired plants.radiation than that of nuclear or oil-fired plants.

Let’s Compare BackgroundsLet’s Compare Backgrounds

Sea level - 30 mrem/year Sea level - 30 mrem/year from cosmic radiationfrom cosmic radiation

10,000 ft. altitude - 140 10,000 ft. altitude - 140 mrem/yearmrem/year

from cosmic radiationfrom cosmic radiation

Consumer Products and Consumer Products and Radioactive MaterialRadioactive Material

There are more sources of radiation in There are more sources of radiation in the consumer product category than in the consumer product category than in any other.any other.

Television sets - low energy x-rays.Television sets - low energy x-rays. Smoke detectors Smoke detectors Some more products or services: Some more products or services:

treatment of agricultural products; treatment of agricultural products; long lasting light bulbs; building long lasting light bulbs; building materials; static eliminators in materials; static eliminators in manufacturing; and luminous dials manufacturing; and luminous dials of watches, clocks and compassesof watches, clocks and compasses

Annual Dose from Background Radiation

Total US average dose equivalent = 360 mrem/year

Total exposure Man-made sources

Radon

Internal 11%

Cosmic 8% Terrestrial 6%

Man-Made 18%

55.0%

Medical X-Rays

NuclearMedicine 4%

ConsumerProducts 3%

Other 1%

11%

The Anatomy of the AtomThe Anatomy of the Atom

Ionizing radiation Ionizing radiation

Occurs from the addition or removal Occurs from the addition or removal ofof electrons from neutral atoms electrons from neutral atoms

Four main types of ionizing radiation Four main types of ionizing radiation alpha, beta, gamma and neutronsalpha, beta, gamma and neutrons AlphaAlpha

BetaBeta Gamma (X-ray) Gamma (X-ray) nn Neutron Neutron

Linear Energy Transfer Linear Energy Transfer

ALARAALARA AAs s LLow ow AAs s RReasonably easonably AAchievablechievable

How?How? TimeTime DistanceDistance Shielding Shielding

Why?Why? Minimize DoseMinimize Dose

TimeTime

Less time = Less radiation exposureLess time = Less radiation exposure Use RAM only when necessaryUse RAM only when necessary Dry runs Dry runs (without radioactive material) (without radioactive material)

Identify portions of the experiment that can be altered in Identify portions of the experiment that can be altered in order to decrease exposure timesorder to decrease exposure times

Shorten time when near RAMShorten time when near RAM Obtaining higher doses in order to get an Obtaining higher doses in order to get an

experiment done quicker is NOT experiment done quicker is NOT “reasonable”! “reasonable”!

DistanceDistance

Effective & EasyEffective & Easy Inverse Square LawInverse Square Law

Doubling distance from source, Doubling distance from source, decreases dose by factor of four decreases dose by factor of four

Tripling it decreases dose nine-fold Tripling it decreases dose nine-fold More Distance = Less Radiation More Distance = Less Radiation

Exposure Exposure Tongs, Tweezers, Pipettes, PliersTongs, Tweezers, Pipettes, Pliers

ShieldingShielding

Materials “absorb” Materials “absorb” radiationradiation

Proper shielding = Less Proper shielding = Less Radiation ExposureRadiation Exposure

Plexiglass vs. LeadPlexiglass vs. Lead

Shielding ExamplesShielding Examples

•

Shielding used where Shielding used where appropriateappropriate

Significantly reduces Significantly reduces radiation effectsradiation effects

LeadLead

PlexiglasPlexiglas

Radiation Radiation ShieldingShielding

Radiation use will be labeledlabeled on door, work area & storage area

Research laboratories work with very low levels of radioactive materials

Safety can check for potential contamination prior to work in a lab that uses radioactive materials

As a precaution: wear gloves, safety glasses and wash wear gloves, safety glasses and wash handshands

Radiation PostingsRadiation Postings

Inappropriate Lab AttireInappropriate Lab Attire

Appropriate Lab AttireAppropriate Lab Attire

Lab coatLab coat Eye protectionEye protection Closed toe shoesClosed toe shoes Personnel Personnel

monitoringmonitoring GlovesGloves

Route of Entry for ExposureRoute of Entry for Exposure

Laboratory Wipe TestsLaboratory Wipe Tests

Fill out form RS-8Fill out form RS-8 Draw map of laboratoryDraw map of laboratory Take wipes of surfaces (10 cmTake wipes of surfaces (10 cm22) throughout ) throughout

lablab Run wipes Run wipes monthlymonthly for possible for possible

contaminationcontamination Document all information on form and place Document all information on form and place

in Radiation Safety Binderin Radiation Safety Binder

Common UnitsCommon Units

RadioactivityRadioactivity ExposureExposure Absorbed DoseAbsorbed Dose Dose EquivalentDose Equivalent

Units are Cool

RadioactivityRadioactivity

Rate of Decay / Potential to Decay Rate of Decay / Potential to Decay ““Strength”Strength” Curie (Ci) - 1 gram of radium Curie (Ci) - 1 gram of radium

disintegrates disintegrates 3.7 X 103.7 X 1010 10 disintegration/ disintegration/

second (dps)second (dps) Becquerel (Bq) Becquerel (Bq)

= 1 disintegration/second (dps)= 1 disintegration/second (dps) 1 mCi = 37 MBq1 mCi = 37 MBq

ExposureExposure

Radioactivity is measured in Radioactivity is measured in Roentgens (R) Roentgens (R)

Charge produced in air from ionization Charge produced in air from ionization by by gamma and x-rays gamma and x-rays ONLY for photons in airONLY for photons in air Rather infrequently used unitRather infrequently used unit

A measure of what is emitted A measure of what is emitted

Absorbed DoseAbsorbed Dose

Energy deposited by any form of Energy deposited by any form of ionizing ionizing radiation in a unit mass of radiation in a unit mass of materialmaterial

Roentgen Absorbed Dose (rad)Roentgen Absorbed Dose (rad) Gray (Gy)Gray (Gy) 1 Gy = 100 rad1 Gy = 100 rad

Dose EquivalentDose Equivalent Scale for equating relative hazards of Scale for equating relative hazards of

various types of ionization in terms of various types of ionization in terms of equivalent riskequivalent risk

Damage in tissue measured in Damage in tissue measured in remrem (Roentgen Equivalent Man)(Roentgen Equivalent Man)

Q:risk of biological injury Q:risk of biological injury rem = Q * radrem = Q * rad Sievert (Sv)Sievert (Sv) 1 Sv = 100 rem1 Sv = 100 rem

What do we really need to What do we really need to know?know?

1 R 1 R 1 rad = 1 rem 1 rad = 1 rem For gammas & betas*For gammas & betas*

1 rad 1 rad 1 rem 1 rem For alphas, neutrons & protonsFor alphas, neutrons & protons 1 rem = 1 rad * Q1 rem = 1 rad * Q

And why do we want to And why do we want to know it?know it?

Dosage and dosimetry are Dosage and dosimetry are measured and measured and reported in rems.reported in rems.

All the Federal and State regulations All the Federal and State regulations are are written in rems.written in rems.

The regulators must be placated The regulators must be placated with with reports in rems. reports in rems.

Annual Radiation Exposure Annual Radiation Exposure LimitsLimits

Occupationally Exposed Worker:Occupationally Exposed Worker:

remrem mrem mrem

Whole body Whole body 55 50005000

EyeEye 1515 15,00015,000

ShallowShallow 5050 50,00050,000

MinorMinor 0.50.5 500500

Pregnant WorkerPregnant Worker 0.5*0.5* 500*500* _____________*9 months______________*9 months_

General Public:General Public: 100 mrem/year or 2mrem/hour 100 mrem/year or 2mrem/hour

Why Establish Occupational Why Establish Occupational Exposure Limits?Exposure Limits?

We want to eliminate ability of We want to eliminate ability of non-stochastic effectsnon-stochastic effects (Acute) (Acute) to occur to occur Example: Skin ReddeningExample: Skin Reddening

We want to reduce the We want to reduce the probability of the occurrence probability of the occurrence ofof

stochastic effectsstochastic effects (Chronic) (Chronic) to same level as other to same level as other occupationsoccupations Example: LeukemiaExample: Leukemia

Established Established from Accident from Accident DataData

Whole BodyWhole Body

Total Effective Dose Equivalent Total Effective Dose Equivalent (TEDE)(TEDE)

TEDE = Internal + ExternalTEDE = Internal + External Assume Internal Contribution ZeroAssume Internal Contribution Zero

Unless Ingestion, Absorption or Inhalation Unless Ingestion, Absorption or Inhalation SuspectedSuspected

Limit = 5 rem / yrLimit = 5 rem / yr

Ensuring Compliance to Ensuring Compliance to Radiation Exposure LimitsRadiation Exposure Limits

Use the established activity limit for each Use the established activity limit for each isotopeisotope

Compare with similar situations Compare with similar situations Estimate with meterEstimate with meter CalculateCalculate

Time, Distance, Shielding, Type, Energy, Time, Distance, Shielding, Type, Energy, GeometryGeometry

MeasureMeasure TLD Chip, LuxelTLD Chip, Luxel Bioassay Bioassay

Who should wear radiation Who should wear radiation dosimeters or badges?dosimeters or badges?

Those “likely” to exceed 10% of their Those “likely” to exceed 10% of their annual limit are requiredannual limit are required

Those who would like a badgeThose who would like a badge Minors & Declared Pregnant Minors & Declared Pregnant

Workers*Workers*

Types of Badges Types of Badges AvailableAvailable

Rules, Rights & Responsibilities Rules, Rights & Responsibilities as a Radiation Workeras a Radiation Worker

Department of State Health ServicesDepartment of State Health Services Radiation ControlRadiation Control

Texas Regulations for Control of Texas Regulations for Control of RadiationRadiation

In Accordance with Texas Radiation In Accordance with Texas Radiation Control Act, Health & Safety Code, Control Act, Health & Safety Code, Ch 401Ch 401

25 TAC (Texas Administrative Code) 25 TAC (Texas Administrative Code) 289 289

Detection of RadiationDetection of Radiation

Radiation DetectorsRadiation Detectors

General Classes of General Classes of DetectorsDetectors Gas-Filled DetectorsGas-Filled Detectors Solid DetectorsSolid Detectors Liquid DetectorsLiquid Detectors

Gas-Filled DetectorsGas-Filled Detectors

Proportional Proportional CounterCounter

Ion ChambersIon Chambers Geiger-Mueller Geiger-Mueller

CountersCounters

Main Difference - Main Difference - Charge Charge MultiplicationMultiplication

Liquid Scintillation Counter (LSC)Liquid Scintillation Counter (LSC)

More Radiation More Radiation MisconceptionsMisconceptions

Radiation does not give you super human powers

Radiation will not make you

glow in the dark

Summary of Biological Summary of Biological Effects of RadiationEffects of Radiation

Radiation may…Radiation may… Deposit Energy in BodyDeposit Energy in Body Cause DNA DamageCause DNA Damage Create Ionizations in BodyCreate Ionizations in Body

Leading to Free RadicalsLeading to Free Radicals

Which may lead to biological damageWhich may lead to biological damage

Radiation Effects on CellsRadiation Effects on Cells

Radio sensitivity Theory of Bergonie Radio sensitivity Theory of Bergonie & Tribondeau.& Tribondeau. Cell are radiosensitive if they :Cell are radiosensitive if they :

Have a high division rateHave a high division rate Have a long dividing futureHave a long dividing future Are of an unspecialized typeAre of an unspecialized type

These are the underlying premise for ALARAThese are the underlying premise for ALARA

Response to radiation depends Response to radiation depends on:on:

Total doseTotal dose Dose rateDose rate Radiation qualityRadiation quality Stage of development at the time of Stage of development at the time of

exposureexposure

Whole Body EffectsWhole Body Effects

Acute or NonstochasticAcute or Nonstochastic Occur when the radiation dose is large enough to Occur when the radiation dose is large enough to

cause extensive biological damage to cells so that cause extensive biological damage to cells so that large numbers of cells die off.large numbers of cells die off.

Evident hours to a few months after exposure Evident hours to a few months after exposure (Early).(Early).

Late or Stochastic (Delayed)Late or Stochastic (Delayed) Exhibit themselves over years after acute Exhibit themselves over years after acute

exposure.exposure. GeneticGenetic SomaticSomatic TeratogenicTeratogenic

Most and Least Radiosensitive Most and Least Radiosensitive CellsCells

Low SensitivityLow Sensitivity Mature red blood cellsMature red blood cells

Muscle cellsMuscle cells

Ganglion cellsGanglion cells

Mature connective tissuesMature connective tissues

High SensitivityHigh Sensitivity Gastric mucosaGastric mucosa

Mucous membranesMucous membranes

Esophageal epitheliumEsophageal epithelium

Urinary bladder epitheliumUrinary bladder epithelium

Very High Very High SensitivitySensitivity

Primitive blood cellsPrimitive blood cells

Intestinal epitheliumIntestinal epithelium

SpermatogoniaSpermatogonia

Ovarian follicular cellsOvarian follicular cells

LymphocytesLymphocytes

Comparison of Administrative, Regulatory and Comparison of Administrative, Regulatory and Biological Effect DosesBiological Effect Doses

100% of People Die, 100% of People Die, CNS SyndromeCNS Syndrome

Permanent InfertilityPermanent Infertility

Whole Body Regulatory Limit (5 rem/yr)Whole Body Regulatory Limit (5 rem/yr)Eye Regulatory Limit (15 rem/yr)Eye Regulatory Limit (15 rem/yr)

50% of People Die (450 – 500 rad)50% of People Die (450 – 500 rad)

Nausea & Vomiting (10% of People)Nausea & Vomiting (10% of People)

Whole Body UTHSCH Administrative Whole Body UTHSCH Administrative Limit (0.125 rem/month)Limit (0.125 rem/month)

Whole Body ExposureWhole Body ExposurePartial Body ExposurePartial Body Exposure

Extremities Regulatory Limit (50 rem/yr)Extremities Regulatory Limit (50 rem/yr)

Eye UTHSCH Administrative Eye UTHSCH Administrative Limit (0.375 rem/month)Limit (0.375 rem/month)

Rad or RemRad or Rem

Extremities UTHSCH Administrative Extremities UTHSCH Administrative Limit (1.275 rem/month)Limit (1.275 rem/month)

General Public Whole Body Regulatory General Public Whole Body Regulatory Limit (0.100 rem/yr)Limit (0.100 rem/yr)

No Clinical Symptoms Seen Below 10 remNo Clinical Symptoms Seen Below 10 rem

Cataract FormationCataract Formation

Loss of HairLoss of Hair

Skin ReddeningSkin Reddening

Decreased White Blood Cell CountDecreased White Blood Cell Count

Ulcers on the SkinUlcers on the Skin

Molecular Death (> 100,000 rad)Molecular Death (> 100,000 rad)

Gastrointestinal SyndromeGastrointestinal Syndrome

Medical TreatmentMedical Treatment External DecontaminationExternal Decontamination

Mild cleaning solution applied to Mild cleaning solution applied to intact skinintact skin

Betadine, Soap, Rad-Con for handsBetadine, Soap, Rad-Con for hands Never use harsh abrasive or Never use harsh abrasive or

steel woolsteel wool

Internal DecontaminationInternal Decontamination Treatment which enhances Treatment which enhances

excretion of radionuclidesexcretion of radionuclides

How Often Does This How Often Does This Happen?Happen?

Results of reported exposure-related incidents in Results of reported exposure-related incidents in TexasTexas

1956 – 20001956 – 2000

Source: Emery, et. al.Source: Emery, et. al. Only 2% at the Only 2% at the

Level that Clinical Level that Clinical Effects From Effects From

Radiation Can be Radiation Can be SeenSeen

(n=3,148)

Where to Find More Radiation Where to Find More Radiation Safety Information….Safety Information….

Basic Radiation Safety Training (6-hr) Basic Radiation Safety Training (6-hr) Required for All Individuals Working with Required for All Individuals Working with RadiationRadiation July 11 & 12July 11 & 12thth – 9 a.m. to Noon (both days) – 9 a.m. to Noon (both days)

Call at 713-500-5840Call at 713-500-5840

Website Website www.uth.tmc.edu/safetywww.uth.tmc.edu/safety Radiation Safety ManualRadiation Safety Manual Important Safety Information Posted in Important Safety Information Posted in

Every Laboratory (Yellow)Every Laboratory (Yellow)