Contamination

• Contamination


  Radioactive particles getting onto objects
• Contamination


  1. Unwanted radioactive particles get onto or into an object

  2. Contaminating particles might then decay, releasing radiation

  3. Contamination is especially dangerous because radioactive particles could get inside your body

  4. Gloves and tongs should be used when handling sources to avoid particles getting stuck to skin or under nails, some workers wear protective suits to stop breathing particles
• Contamination or irradiation


  Can cause different amounts of harm, based on the radiation type
• Radiation types and their dangers

  • Outside the body: Beta and gamma sources are the most dangerous as they can penetrate the body and get to delicate organs. Alpha is less dangerous as it can't penetrate the skin and is easily blocked
  • Inside the body: Alpha sources are the most dangerous as they do all their damage in a very localised area. Beta sources are less damaging as radiation is absorbed over a wider area and some passes out of the body. Gamma sources are the least dangerous as they mostly pass straight out with the lowest ionising power
• The more we understand how different types of radiation affect our bodies, the better we can protect ourselves when using them
• Alpha sources are the most dangerous inside the body
• Alpha sources are the most ionising form of radiation