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ONLINE self-study

ONLINE self-study. Radiation Safety for Ancillary Employees. In this course, you will learn about:. Radioactivity and Radiation Radiation Units and Terms Background Radiation Radioactive Materials Signs and Labels Radiation Risk Assessment Radiation Protection at UNC

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ONLINE self-study

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  1. ONLINE self-study Radiation Safety for Ancillary Employees

  2. In this course, you will learn about: • Radioactivity and Radiation • Radiation Units and Terms • Background Radiation • Radioactive Materials • Signs and Labels • Radiation Risk Assessment • Radiation Protection at UNC • Radiation Safety Practices – ALARA • Basic Radiation Safety Procedures • Dose Limits and Monitoring Requirements • Guidelines for Working Safely Around Radiation Sources • Important Contact Information DID YOU KNOW? Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen Discovered X-Rays in 1895

  3. Radioactivity and Radiation What is radiation? • Radiation is the transfer of energy • This course deals with ionizing radiation • Radiation that creates ions • X-rays, gamma rays, beta particles, neutrons • Comes from different sources: • Unstable atoms • Electrically or machine produced

  4. Radioactivity and Radiation Radiation is beneficial in medicine and research • Allows for the imaging, diagnosis, and treatment of internal structures and diseases Uses at UNC-- • X-ray machines • Radiopharmaceuticals • Linear accelerators and sealed sources • Research Labs

  5. Radiation Units and Terms • Radiation can not be seen, felt, smelled or tasted! • It can however be measured! Terms used to describe radiation and radioactive materials: • Exposure (R – Roentgen) • Electrical charge per unit mass of air produced by x or gamma rays • Absorbed Dose (RAD – Radiation Absorbed Dose) • Amount of energy per unit mass absorbed by an irradiated object

  6. Radiation Units and Terms • Dose Equivalent (REM – Roentgen Equivalent Man) • Modified absorbed dose • Regulatory dose reporting unit • Takes into account the biological impact of the radiation (i.e. beta particle, x-ray, neutron) • Note: 1,000 (millirem) = 1 rem • Activity (Ci – Curie) • Nuclear transformations per unit of time • Amount of radioactivity of a nuclide DID YOU KNOW? Marie and Pierre Curie Discovered Radium in 1898

  7. Background Radiation • We are all exposed to radiation everyday! • Naturally-occurring in our soil, air, and water • Even our bodies contain natural radioactivity!

  8. Background Radiation • Average US resident receives about 600 millirem per year from naturally-occurring and man-made sources of radiation • Equivalent to ~20 chest x-ray procedures • Half comes from naturally-occurring sources of radiation: • Largest contributor is Radon • Half is from man-made sources such as: • Computed Tomography (CT) • Nuclear Medicine

  9. Radioactive Materials • Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals (Tc-99m, F-18, Tl-201, I-131, and I-125) • Used in Nuclear Medicine and at the Biomedical Research Imaging Center • Emit penetrating gamma rays • Remain in the subject after the study • Have short half-lives (so subject and others are not exposed for long periods) • Negligible radiation hazard from these individuals • No “special” precautions in caring for these individuals • Practice universal precautions • No restrictions on subject activities or contact with other people

  10. Radioactive Materials • Radionuclides used in clinical labs emit beta particles and gamma rays • Beta particles are not as penetrating as gamma rays or x-rays • Weak/moderate energy betas will not penetrate the skin • Keep radioactive materials from contaminating the skin and work areas • Contaminated skin may lead to ingestion/absorption and spread of material

  11. Signs and Labels • Because radiation cannot be seen or felt, the radiation symbol (“tri-foil”) is used to alert you to its presence Posting for containers of radioactive material and rooms where radioactive materials are stored or used Posting for rooms or areas where radiation-producing equipment is used

  12. Radiation Risk Assessment • Although radiation can be of benefit, too much can be dangerous • Two types of ionizing radiation effects • Effects occurring given enough dose • Threshold effects such as cataracts and erythema • Effects with a higher chance of occurring as dose increases • “Chance” effects such as cancer, genetic mutations, and effects on the embryo/fetus • Radiation dose effects • Large-dose effects are well-documented and understood • Low-dose radiation effects are not so well understood

  13. Radiation Risk Assessment • The important thing to remember is the perception of risk vs. the reality • Many think of radiation based upon what they have seen in the movies • This FICTION is their PERCEPTION • The reality is the risks from radiation are quite low • For example, the risk of getting cancer from 10 millirem of radiation is roughly equivalent to the chance of winning the lottery by buying only one ticket

  14. Radiation Risk Assessment • It is also important to realize that standards and regulations for your job keep the chance of undesirable effects quite low • Workers of UNC are in general exposed to low doses of radiation • Risks from radiation exposure are comparable to risks from other “safe” professions • You may also be exposed to x-rays as a patient (not occupational) • Calculate your own dose and risk from medical exposure to x-rays at www.x-rayrisk.com

  15. UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Environment, Health & Safety Radiation Safety Section Acts as an “agent” for the Radiation Safety Committee Manages the University’s radiation protection program  Obtain radiation safety information from the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) at 919-962-5507 Click here for Radiation Safety’s website: UNC Radiation Safety Radiation Protection at UNC

  16. Radioactive materials used under a “broad medical license” Issued by the Department of Health and Human Services North Carolina Radiation Protection Section (NCRPS)Visit their website at: NC Radiation Protection X-ray machines are licensed or registered with the NCRPS Radiation Safety Committee Oversees and approves ALL use of radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment NCRPS "Notice to Employees" form Contains important information Posted where radiation sources are used Radiation Protection at UNC

  17. Radiation Safety Practices - ALARA • NC Regulations require we have an ALARA program • Ensures radiation exposures are maintained As Low As Reasonably Achievable • ALARA assumes any radiation dose, no matter how small, can have some adverse effect -Shoe store fluoroscopes such as this one from the early 1900s were outlawed- They are not ALARA!

  18. Radiation Safety Practices - ALARA Minimize radiation exposure by utilizing three basic principles:Time, Distance and Shielding

  19. Basic Radiation Safety Procedures • Radioactive Spills: • Do not clean up unless trained in radiological response • Remember, small droplets may splash away from the spill • Contain running liquids with a paper towel or other absorbent material • Isolate the area and notify the Radiation Safety Officer • Monitor all persons involved in a spill for contamination

  20. Dose Limits and Monitoring Requirements • NC Regulations For Protection Against Radiation • Dictate the amount of radiation a person may occupationally receive • 15A NCAC 11 Annual Dose Limits for Monitored Radiation Workers: • Whole Body: 5,000 millirem • Skin/Extremities: 50,000 millirem • Lens of Eye: 15,000 milliremA worker is required to be monitored if likely to exceed 10% of the above limits • General public (non-radiation worker, this is you) • Allowed 100 millirem per year -DID YOU KNOW?- The first US dose limit set in 1957 was 300 millirem/week!

  21. Guidelines for Working Safely Around Radiation Sources • RADIATION-PRODUCTING EQUIPMENT • External Exposure Only • Hazard present ONLY when equipment “ON” • Authorized operator present whenever equipment “ON” • Enter only those areas you are authorized and trained to enter • Rooms adequately shielded for protection • Avoid immediate work/use area if possible • ASK personnel in area and stay alert

  22. Guidelines for Working Safely Around Radiation Sources • RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS • External exposure and contamination hazards (both external and internal) • Hazard present when materials not shielded or contained • Research subjects may also be radioactive • Radioactive materials should be secured at all times • Look for warning labels (including radioactive waste) • ASK personnel in area and stay alert • Know procedures for contamination incidents & spills • Food & drink only in designated areas

  23. Important Contact Information • Report unusual or unsafe conditions involving sources of radiation to the Radiation Safety Office immediately • Radiation Safety is available during normal working hours at 919-962-5507 • Radiation Safety can be reached after normal working hours through Campus Police at 919-962-6565 or 911 (from campus/hospital phone) Radioactive Materials licenses, x-ray registrations, regulations, inspection reports and exposure reports are available for review in the UNC Department of Environment, Health and Safety, Radiation Safety Section 1120 Estes Drive Extension, CB# 1650

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