4.2.4 Radioactive Contamination

• What is radioactive contamination?

  The unwanted presence of radioactive substances in an environment or on surfaces.
• Why is there a hazard of contamination?

  Decay of contaminating atoms.
• What is the level of the hazard of contamination affected by?

  The type of radiation emitted.
• What is irradiation?

  Exposure to radiation where the object exposed does not become radioactive.
• Which factors determine how harmful radiation is?

  • Where you're exposed to the radiation
  • The type of radiation
  • The amount of radiation you receive
• Contamination is when radioactive particles get onto your body or other objects.
• What might happen if DNA is exposed to ionising radiation?

  • The DNA could be destroyed
  • The cell could divide uncontrollably and become cancerous
  • The DNA could mutate
• The diagram shows radiation in order of harm, when the source of radiation is in close contact with your body. Which radiation is out of place in the diagram?

  X-ray radiation.

  
• Types of radiation from least to most harmful:

  • Radiowaves
  • Microwaves
  • Infra-red
  • Visible light
  • Ultraviolet
  • X-rays
  • Gamma
  • Beta
  • Alpha
• Which radioactive substance is the most harmful inside the body and why?

  Alpha radiation as it is the most ionising.
• What safety precautions can be taken when handling radioactive substances?

  • Store the radioactive substance in a lead-lined box
  • Wear overalls
  • Use tongs when picking up the radioactive substance
• True or false? Once you've become irradiated, you become radioactive and can emit radiation to others.

  False.