radiation in the home, is it safe? insert name trinity section american nuclear society
TRANSCRIPT
Radiation in the home, is it safe?
Insert NameTrinity Section
American Nuclear Society
What is Radiation? Natural and man-
made Studied for over
100 years Particles and Rays Different effects
for different radiations
Not all radiation is harmful
What kinds of radiation are there?
Alpha Particles— Helium nucleus
Beta Particles – An energetic electron emitted from the nucleus
X-Rays Light wave emitted from the electrons in an
atom
Gamma Rays— Light wave emitted from the nucleus
How do we measure exposure?
Geiger-Mueller Tube Demo
Ionization Chambers
TLD for personnel exposures
Where can radiation be found?
Nuclear Reactors Power plants Nuclear Waste
Nature Naturally occurring Fallout from
atmospheric testing Homes
Radon Building Materials
Nuclear Reactors Power plants
Palo Verde
Waste Spent fuel Low-level waste
Radiation in the environment Natural
Uranium and Thorium in the soil
Radon gas
Fallout Atmospheric
testing CTBT in effect
1963
Is There Radiation in the Home?
Radon Colorless, odorless
gas Affects homes
nationwide Building Materials
Concrete By-product
gypsum Granite
Is anything else radioactive in the home?
The answer is yes!
Radiation in the home
Smoke detectors Foods
Salt substitute Banana’s
Fire Exit Signs People
Smoke detectors In almost every
home
Use radiation to determine if there is smoke
Foods are naturally radioactive? Irradiated food is
not radioactive Contains potassium
or other element that is naturally radioactive
Element is taken up during digestion into the body
Exit Signs In use since 1920 Contains tritium gas Beta particles hit
zinc sulfide for light No electricity
required or batteries Special disposal
required
People Humans are
naturally radioactive Within the body is:
Uranium, thorium, potassium, carbon, and tritium
Over 12,000 decays per second
Should I be concerned with radiation?
Radiation is radiation Natural vs. Man-made
Been around for as long as man
High dose effects--known
Low dose effects—not clear
Radiation Exposure “Normally” receive
300 mrem per year Same as 30 chest x-
rays Workers allowed up
to 5000 mrem/year Public exposure
must be less than 500 mrem/year
Calculated your annual exposure of radiation
Handout of Measure your radiation exposure
Discuss your exposure level
Conclusions Three types of radiation
Alpha, Beta and Gamma (X-ray) Characteristics of Radiation
Half-Life, Penetrating Power, Type, and Isotope
Radiation can be found: Everywhere
Conclusions
Radiation in the home Food Building Materials Exit Signs Smoke Detectors People
Conclusions Radiation
Can be detected High level effects known Low Level effects still debated
Annual Exposure 300 mrem/year Varies widely