Radioactive materials radiation monitoring

Because exposure to radiation is a health risk, the administration of radioactive isotopes must be monitored and controlled carefully. Isotopes that emit alpha or beta particles are not used for Imaging, because these radiations cause substantial tissue damage. Specificity for a target organ is essential so that the amount of radioactive material can be kept as low as possible. In addition, an Isotope for medical Imaging must have a decay rate that is slow enough to allow time to make and administer the tracer compound, yet fast enough rid the body of radioactivity in as short a time as possible. 

In order to protect against these radioactive materials being brought on-site, a facility may set up monitoring sites outfitted with radiation detection instrumentation at entrances to the facility. Depending on the specific types of equipment chosen, this equipment would detect radiation emitted from people, packages, or other objects transported through an entrance. 

High-radiation areas must be secured carefully (i.e., level greater than 500 rad, radiation absorbed dose in 1 h at a distance of 1 m from the source) by providing proper ventilation and respiratory equipment, which monitors air contamination. It is also recommended that the radioactive material be properly stored with the required control along with posting signs such as ... 

One of the most common topics asked of those who work with the actinides relates to handling procedures. The radioactive nature of these elements does require the use of special facilities, processes, and precautions. However, working with radioactive elements in subcritical quantities is as safe, if not safer, than handling many of the toxic chemicals found in a typical synthetic laboratory. The primary advantage in handling radioactive material is the ease with which these elements can be detected. Unlike other toxic chemicals, for example, lead, thallium, arsenic, and so on, a simple survey (seconds) with a radiation detector will show if containment of the material has been lost, where it is, and approximately how much is present. With appropriate monitoring, virtually no uptake of radioactive material occurs, and if any personnel contamination does occur, it is quickly detected and treated. 

Environmental monitoring means the measurement of radiation and radioactivity outside the boundaries of installations operating nuclear power plants, research reactors, fuel reprocessing plant, accelerators or handling radioactivity materials including nuclear fuels or radioactive sources. 

The intermediate phase covers the period which starts from the first few hours after the commencement of the release and could extend for several days or weeks. During this phase, environmental measurements of radiation levels from deposited radioactive materials, as well as levels of radioactive contaminants in food, water and air, will become available. It is also during the intermediate phase that the plant is expected to be restored to a safe condition and the protective measures, based on the environmental measurements, will be implemented. In this phase the results of the prediction calculations by ESR will be very important to design and check the environmental monitoring plans and to carry out the appropriate evaluations of environmental consequences in conjunction with environmental monitoring activities. 

Radiation monitoring equipment covers a variety of models designed for a specific purpose. In this section we shall briefly discuss measurement of airborne radioactivity. Radionuclides are released into the atmosphere from operating the various facilities. These radionuclides are dispersed to populated areas where exposure occurs by breathing or swallowing the materials. 

Access between the two appropriately labeled radiation areas should be restricted, in order to avoid contaminating the low-level area. In laboratories where both hot and cold operations are being performed in a small amount of space, it is important to set up well-defined and clearly labeled radioactive material work stations. In this way, radionuclide analysis is confined so that its impact on the surrounding laboratory is minimal. The presence of radiation throughout the laboratory should be monitored as discussed below. 

Although construction and operation of nuclear power plants are closely monitored and regulated by the NRC, an accident, though unlikely, is possible. The potential danger from an accident at a nuclear power plant is exposure to radiation. This exposure could come from the release of radioactive material from the plant into the environment, usually characterized by a plume (cloud-like) formation. The area the radioactive relea.se may affect is determined by the amount released from the plant, wind direction and speed and weather conditions (i.e., rain, snow, etc.) which would quickly drive the radioactive material to the ground, hence causing increased deposition of radionuclides. 

After a release of radioactive materials, local authorities will monitor the levels of radiation and determine what protective actions to take. 

Keep televisions or radios tuned to local news networks. If a radioactive material was released, people will be told where to report for radiation monitoring and blood tests to determine whether they were exposed to the radiation as well as what steps to take to protect their health. 

The amount of time they can safely work in an area contaminated with radioactive materials Equipment needed to protect ihem.seives from radiation and radioactive materials Types of respiratory devices needed to work in the contaminated area How to use radiation monitoring devices... 

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