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Cambridge IGCSE Physics · 0625

Chapter 5: Nuclear physics — Part 7

Topic 5.2.5 · Safety precautions

Harm to living things

Ionising nuclear radiation can cause cell death, mutations and cancer.

Moving, using and storing sources safely

Radioactive materials are moved, used and stored so that people are not exposed unnecessarily: labelled containers, sources kept in lead (or other shielding) boxes when not in use, handled with tongs, never pointed at the body, and used in controlled labs.

Reduce dose by:

  • reducing time of exposure
  • increasing distance from the source
  • using shielding to absorb radiation (lead, concrete, aluminium as appropriate to the type)
Reducing dose: minimise time near the source, increase distance, and place absorbing shielding (for example lead or concrete) between the source and living tissue; sources stored in labelled lead containers and handled with tongs.
Diagram 1: Reducing dose: minimise time near the source, increase distance, and place absorbing shielding (for example lead or concrete) between the source and living tissue; sources stored in labelled lead containers and handled with tongs.

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