Proper Use of Radiation

Since radiation may be hazardous, it is important that individuals who handle ionizing radiation follow certain rules to avoid accidents. The official rules to be followed by all persons licensed to handle radioactive materials have been studied and proposed by such bodies as the ICRP and the National Research Council (NRC), which is an arm of the National Academy of Sciences. The proposed standards are adopted and enforced by federal agencies such as the 

NRC and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA). The NRC and EPA standards for protection against radiation are contained in Code of Federal Regulations The exposure limits, based on these guidelines, were discussed in Sec. 16.8. 

To protect personnel, areas where radiation sources are used are marked with certain signs. The definitions of radiation areas and the corresponding signs are as follows.  

30 m from the radiation source or from any surface that the radiation penetrates. 

Radiation areas should be marked with the radiation symbol shown in Fig. 16.16 and with cautionary signs. If necessary, the radiation area should be roped off or, if it is a room, should be locked to keep people out. 

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