Ph: (954) 921-0330
Radioactive materials give off radiation, a type of energy that impacts matter around it. You’re likely familiar with the basics of radiation, but understanding how it behaves will not only reveal valuable information, but can also help you protect your employees from excessive exposure.
Although radioactive materials have always been around, there are more nuclear plans and companies than ever before. This, in turn, has increased the demand for radiation safety and enhanced the general knowledge that both you and patients need to understand.
But, what exactly does radiation do? And how does it impact you? In this article we will share the definition of radiation, discuss a few facts about this type of energy, and give you three practical tips to improve radiation safety in your facility.
What is Radiation?
Before going over radiation facts, let’s define it.
Radiation is a type of energy that has no smell, taste, or visible color. This type of energy has properties of both waves and light particles, and it’s emitted by unstable atoms that release excess energy.
Radiation is all around us (more on this in the following section), but when concentrated, this type of energy can have a negative effect on the body.
Because of this, it’s necessary for medical professionals and other experts who work closely with radiation to wear protective equipment.
Facts About Radiation
Radiation has been pictured on shows and movies as a super-charged type of energy that glows in the dark and can potentially turn you into a superhero or villain depending on your origin story.
Here are a few facts that should help clarify facts of radiation from fiction.
1. The Concentration Matters
There are many interesting facts about radiation, but we´ll start our list with a safety-related detail.
Radiation exposure has a major effect on matter, especially living tissue. With that said, the amount or concentration of radiation that you’re exposed to can influence the impact of this energy.
As a general rule of thumb, radiation travels in a parabolic trajectory, so the beams eventually stop advancing and curve to the floor. Because of this, simply putting enough distance between you and a source of radiation can greatly reduce the exposure.
2. Real Radiation Glow is Blue, Not Green
Do you know that green glow that’s often seen around radioactive materials in cartoons and similar series? This is actually not accurate as radiation doesn’t always glow, and when it does it’s definitely now green.
As a matter of fact, radiation glow is blue and only occurs in some instances when radioactive materials are placed underwater.
3. All of Us Are Exposed to Radiation
It’s important to understand that radiation is everywhere around us, including right now. This energy can come from different sources on the surface of the Earth and from outer space.
The good news is that we\’re used to it. Regardless of the source, our bodies can eliminate any radiation that is absorbed through the same mechanism it uses to get rid of other wastes in the body.
4. Nuclear Power Plants Don’t Release a Lot of Radiation
While disasters like the Chernobyl and Fukushima plants have caused global alarm, it’s important to understand that, when operating properly, nuclear plants are not a major source of scatter radiation.
To put it in perspective, the average person receives around 620 millirems or mrems every year, which is the lowest type of measurement for radiation energy. In contrast, getting on a return flight for 6 hours each way can result in 4 mrems of exposure.
5. Radiation Plays a Key Role in Medical Diagnostics and Treatments
Roughly 50% of cancer patients receive some form of radiation during their treatment and this is just one of the medical applications of this type of energy.
In addition to this, radiation is used in medical diagnostic imaging because it can help show tissues of different densities within the body.
6. It’s Important to Protect Against Contamination and Direct Radiation
Direct exposure to concentrated radiation can have a detrimental effect on your health, especially if it’s either prolonged or recurring in nature.
However, many don’t realize that you also have to protect against contamination radiation, which consits of charged particles that either pool or sit on top of surfaces.
Although not as powerful as direct scatter radiation, contaminated surfaces present the same level of danger because it’s incredibly difficult to detect. Instead, you should implement a safety system that eliminates the threat of potentially contaminated surfaces in your facility.
Mitigating the Impact of Radiation Through Protective Equipment
Now that we’ve covered the most important and interesting facts about radiation, let’s take a look at the steps you can take to protect team members in your facility.
Go Above and Beyond in Your PPE Choice
The protective personal equipment or PPE in your facility will directly impact how much or little radiation your team members absorb. Your best bet is to work with an established manufacturer that is known for the exact fit and quality of its lead aprons and other products.
Create a Safety Protocol with Your Internal Radiation Officer
If you haven’t already, you should appoint a radiation officer, and then have a meeting with this professional to establish a safety protocol to lower exposure and prevent long-term health conditions.
Establish an Emergency Plan
Last but certainly not least, you should not assume that your facility is emergency-proof. Instead, you should create a plan for all scenarios including an exposure and contamination protocol that covers all potential emergency situations.
Get the Best PPE for Your Medical and Diagnostic Facilities
Although you can’t see, smell, or otherwise perceive radiation, this type of energy is around us all the time. In some cases, radiation can even seem like something out of a comic book because it can help power entire cities and be used to treat severe conditions like cancer.
But, even though it has practical applications in healthcare and other industries, it’s also important to note that radiation can have a negative impact on your well-being. If you manage a diagnostic or medical facility that has radiation-enabled devices, it’s important to provide the protective equipment necessary to stay safe and prevent long-term health issues.
At Barrier Technology, we specialize in developing lead aprons, movable shields, lead drapes and additional types of equipment that help safeguard your team from radiation. Contact us today!
