Background radiation

Question 1

How does background radiation occur?

Answer 1

naturally due to cosmic radiation and from radioactive materials in rock, soil and in the air

Question 2

Why does backgrouynd radiation vary?

Answer 2

due to geological features

Question 3

What are some man made background radiation sources?

Answer 3

• medical
• nuclear weapons
• food and drink
• air travel
• nuclear power

Question 4

What are some natural sources of radiation?

Answer 4

• rocks
• air
  
  • e.g. radon gas

Question 5

What must happen with radioactive sources?

Answer 5

• used and stored with cares
• specific regulations and approval for institutions with radioactive materials

Question 6

How are radioactive material stored?

Answer 6

• placed in lead-lined contrainers
• must be thick enough to reduce the gamma radiation from the sources in the container to about background level
  
  • most radioactive sources produce gamma radiation as well as alpha or beta
• containers are kept uinder lock and key
• record of sources kept

Question 7

How should radioactive materials be used?

Answer 7

• rules and regulations must be follwed
• no source should ever come into contract with skin
• handled no longer than necessary
  
  • greater dose received

Question 8

How are solid sources handled?

Answer 8

• handled using tongues or a glove box or using robots
  
  • ensures the user is as far from the source as practicable so the intensity of the radiation is as low as possible for gamma and beyond the range of alpha or beta

Question 9

How are liquid and gas sand solids in powder used?

Answer 9

• in sealed containers
• ensures it cannot be breahed in or splashed on skin or drunk