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| Hazards and Safety Measures of Radiations |
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| The first and only atomic bombs were used in war was in 1945 when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were devastated. Widespread destruction and damage were produced immediately by the blast. Some of the damage caused by the emitted radiation became evident within days, but some did not become evident until years after the event. Some of the effects on humans on exposure to
radiation are |
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 Burns |
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 Sterility (inability to produce children) |
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 Some children born with serious abnormalities as their genes get damaged. |
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 Damage to the blood may lower resistance to normal diseases. |
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| The growth and use of radioactive product has increased considerably since about 1930. Radioactive sources have become part of normal school equipment and although the sources are very weak, it is essential to take stringent safety precautions. The following precautions are to be taken: |
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 The sources should only be handled by the forceps provided and never touched by hand. |
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 They should never be pointed towards a person. |
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 Food should not be taken where the sources are being used, because it may become contaminated. |
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 Never smoke near a radioactive source. |
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 The user should wear rubber gloves, and hands should be washed after the sources have been put away safely. |
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| In places where the quantities of radioactive materials used are greater, special clothing is worn and photographic emulsions or some means of monitoring the radiation are used. a - particles cause intense ionisation but they are easily absorbed by protective clothing. Thus, they are not likely to do much damage unless they enter the body on contaminated food etc. b - particles have a greater range, but they too are easily absorbed and a Perspex screen may be used as protection. g - rays are most dangerous because of their high penetrating power, and great care should be taken when they are used. |
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| Radioisotopes increase the level of radiation, but the effects can be minimized by using those with a fairly short half-life. This period should be long enough to do what is required, but short enough for the level of radiation to become very low soon afterwards. |
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| In the laboratory, weak radioactive sources are handled with long tweezers. In industry very powerful sources are handled with remote controls. The workers are shielded by lead and concrete walls. |
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