Descriptions of the types of radiation produced from a nuclear reaction and the potential risks and benefits associated with each type.
Alpha Radiation
- Alpha radiation is a heavy, very short-range particle and is actually a helium atom sent out from the nucleus
- most alpha radiation cannot pass through any human skin so there is not too much to worry about there.
- Alpha-emitting materials can be harmful to humans if the materials are able to get into the body by swallowing something, inhaling something, or if you have a open wound.
Beta Radiation
- Beta radiation is a light, short-range particle and is actually an electron sent out by an atom.
- Beta radiation may travel many feet then it is in the air and can pass through human skin very easily.
- Beta radiation can pass through human skin to the innermost layer where new skin cells are produced.
- If high levels of beta-emitting contaminants are allowed to be on human skin for a very long amount of time, it may cause injury to the skin.
- Beta-emitting contaminants are even more harmful if deposited internally.
Gamma and X Radiation
- Gamma radiation and x rays are highly penetrating electromagnetic radiation.
- Gamma radiation or x rays are able to travel many feet in air and many inches in human tissue, this is why when you get an x-ray the doctors around you wear heavy lead vests.
- X rays are very similar to gamma rays. Gamma rays are also penetrating radiation.
- Gamma radiation and x rays are electromagnetic radiation like visible light, radio waves, and ultraviolet light.
(health physics society, 2008)
This is a picture of the types of radiation.
(OSHA, 2008)
