5.

5 Realising the importance of proper management of radioactive

substances

a. The Negative Effects of Radioactive Substances

1. Exposure to large doses of radiation is very dangerous.

2. Radiation causes ionisations in the molecules of living cells
to cause damage.
3. At the low doses of radiation, the cells can repair rapidly.
4. If the dose is higher, the cells may be dying or changed
permanently.

Figure 1: Sources of background radiation

Figure 2: Effects of radiation

5. Somatic effects appear in the person exposed to radiation.

6. The seriousness of the effect depends on the dose of
radiation received.
7. Genetic effects appear in the future generations of the
exposed person as a result of radiation damage to
reproductive cells.

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b. Safety Precautions in the Handling of Radioactive Substances

Radioactive substances must always be handled with the correct

procedures to prevent harmful effects to people and the
environment. The following are some basic precautions:
• Read and follow the advice and instructions marked on
radioactive sources, equipment and work manuals. Refer to
the label on a box containing a radioactive source.
• Gloves must be worn any time an unsealed source is being
used or whenever contamination is likely to occur.
• Laboratory coats, long pants, and closed-toe footwear
should be worn.
• Eating, drinking, applying cosmetics, or storing of food is
prohibited.
• All work surfaces and storage areas should be covered with
absorbent material to contain radioactive material
contamination.
• When using radioactive liquids, plastic or metal trays should
be utilised to contain potential spills.
• Radioactive material, especially liquids, should be kept in
unbreakable containers whenever possible. If glass is used,
a secondary container is necessary.
• Before eating or drinking, wash hands and forearms
thoroughly.
• Radioactive sources for educational use are kept in lead
boxes and stored in a secure lead container.

c. Radioactive Waste Management

1. Radioactive waste consists of a variety of materials requiring

different methods of management to protect people and
environment.
2. Below figure shows a brief summary of the type of radioactive
waste and the management of the radioactive waste.

2
Objective Question:

1. When some fresh food are exposed to γ-rays, the foods’ keeping qualities
are improved and the foods are safe to eat. Why can people eat these
foods without suffering from the effects of radiation?
A γ-rays carry no electric charge.
B γ-rays do not make the food radioactive.
C γ-rays have very low energy.
D γ-rays have a very short half life

2. Which action will most increase a person’s exposure to radioactivity?

A eating food that has been sterilized by exposure to gamma rays
B going for a flight in a high-flying aircraft.
C opening the windows of a house
D using a Geiger-Muller tube and counter

3. Why are γ-rays not deflected by a magnetic field?

A They are strongly penetrating
B They are weakly ionizing
C They have no change
D They have no mass

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4. A neutral atom consist of seventeen electrons, seventeen protons and
eighteen neutrons. What is its nucleon number (mass number)?
A 17 B 34 C 35 D 52

5. The table shows the composition of nuclei of three nuclides X, Y and Z

Nuclide Number of Number of

protons neutrons
X 12 12
Y 13 12
Z 13 13
Which nuclides are isotopes of the same elements?
A X and Y only C Y and Z only
B X and Z only D X, Y and Z

6. A nucleus consists of 90 protons and 144 neutrons. After emitting two beta
particles followed by an alpha particle, this nucleus has
A 86 protons and 140 neutrons
B 86 protons and 142 neutrons
C 90 protons and 140 neutrons
D 90 protons and 142 neutrons

7. Nucleus 225
90 X decays to nucleus Y with the emission of two alpha particles

and one beta- particle. What is the composition of nucleus Y?

A 221
89Y

B 217
Y
87

C 217
Y
85

D 216
Y
86

8. Which of the following occurs in the decay of a radioactive nucleus?

A The nucleus absorbs another nucleus
B The nucleus absorbs at least one form of radiation.
C The nucleus always splits into two equal fragments.
D The nucleus emits at least one form of radiation.

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9. Which particle is positively charged?
A alpha-particle
B beta particle
C electron
D neutron

10 In a fission reactor, which particle causes a Uranium-235 nucleus to split?

A alpha-particle
B gamma ray
C neutron
D proton

11. Which of the following statements about alpha particles is not true?
A They can be deflected by a magnetic field
B They can be deflected by an electric field
C They can be detected by a spark counter
D They are radioactive

12 a) State any two industrial uses of radioactive materials?

b) What will happen if a worker in a nuclear plant uses his fingers to

pick up a radioactive source?

c) State any two precautions you would take when you handle
radioactive materials.

d) When carrying out experiments with radioactive sources, students

are instructed that

i) the source should never be held close to the human body

ii) no eating or drinking is allowed in the laboratory.

Why is it important to follow these instructions?

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Answers:

1. B- Gamma rays can pass through the foods without making them
radioactive.

2. B– At a higher attitude, we are more exposed to the cosmic rays from

outer space.

3. C– Gamma rays are neutral and therefore not deflected by a magnetic

field.

4. C– Number of proton + number of neutron = 17 + 18 = 35

5. C– Y and Z have the same number of protons but different number of

neutrons.

6. C– The equation for this nuclear reaction is given by :

90Y + 2 α + −1 β + −1 β where X is the original parent
234 230 4 0 0
90 X

nucleus and Y is the final daughter nucleus.

7. B– The nuclear reaction can be summarised as:

87Y + 2 α + 2 α + −1 β
225 217 4 4 0
90 X

8. D

9. A

10. C

11. D

12. a) Tracers and penetrating radiation

b) The worker will be exposed to excessive radiation.

c) i) Gloves must be worn any time an unsealed source is being

used or whenever contamination is likely to occur.
ii) Read and follow the advice and instructions marked on
radioactive sources, equipment and work manuals.

d) It is important to follow these instructions because somatic effects

appear in the person exposed to radiation. The seriousness of the
effect depends on the dose of radiation received. Genetic effects
appear in the future generations of the exposed person as a result
of radiation damage to reproductive cells.