Safety Precautions
Physics: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 4.2.20
Ionising Radiation - Safety Precautions
Ionising radiation can damage cells, cause mutations that lead to cancer and possibly organ failure. Because of this, we should follow safety precautions to reduce our exposure to radioactive materials.
Storage
- Radioactive sources (materials) should be stored in lead-lined boxes and locked in steel cabinets away from people.
Handling
- Radioactive sources (materials) should not be handled directly and should only be used for the shortest time possible.
- We should use rubber gloves when handling and wash our hands thoroughly after use.
Usage
- We should not eat or drink when using a radioactive source.
- Sources should be kept at arm’s length and we should not put them in our pockets.
Reduced exposure
- We should minimise our exposure to sources, use shielding and maximise the distance between the user and the source.