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Classifying Radiation: 1.Electromagnetic radiation Examples: ultraviolet, visible light, x-rays, gamma rays Key features: No mass, no charge 2. Particulate radiation Examples: alpha particles, beta particles, neutrons Key features: All have mass, some have charge (alpha, beta), some have no charge (neutron) 3. Ionizing radiation Key features: Radiation with sufficient energy to eject electrons from atoms (ionization) 4. Non-ionizing radiation Key Features: Radiation without sufficient energy to produce ionizations Radiation Detection Devices Civilian: Geiger-Mueller (GM) radiation survey meter, dose rate meter, personal dosimeter Military: Survey meters, dosimeter chargers, readers, pocket dosimeters Non-occupational Exposure Limits for the General Public: Whole body 100 mrem in a year4 2 mrem in an hour N/A Occupational Exposure Limits: 5 Whole body 5 rem/year 1.25 rem/quarter Lens of eye 15 rem/year 1.25 rem/quarter Skin 50 rem/year 7.5 rem/quarter Extremities 50 rem/year 18.75 rem/quarter Embryo/fetus 500 mrem/gestation Minors (< 18 years) 10% of adult annual dose 10% of adult quarterly dose Guidelines for Radiation Exposure: One exposure limit values in this table exclude exposures to natural sources of ionizing radiation (e.g., radon, cosmic radiation) and therapeutic or diagnostic medical sources of ionizing radiation (e.g., radiation therapy, nuclear medicine scans, arteriograms, x-rays, CT scans, etc.). It has been noted from NRC guidance that allowable limits of exposure is tolerated by personnel/employees at facilities using licensed sources (i.e., radiation workers) at workplaces like nuclear power plants, industrial food irradiation facilities, and nuclear medicine and radiation oncology departments. NRC also provides guidance on allowable limits of exposure to the general public concerning any exposure to manmade sources of radiation. The OSHA regulations are only concerned with workplace or occupational exposures to ionizing radiation. These limits apply to exposures to the general public from manmade sources of ionizing radiation (e.g., to people living in the vicinity of a nuclear power facility). A maximum lifetime occupational dose (for adults) is defined as : 5 x (N - 18) rem, where N = age in years at last birthday. References for Guidelines ~Standards for Protection Against Radiation (10 CFR Part 20. Nuclear Regulatory Commission) ~Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Ionizng Radiation (29 CFR 1910.1096. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Sources of Ionizing Radiation Exposure to the General Public Natural Radiation Sources: 82% Manmade Radiation Sources: 18% Other: < 1% Radon Medical x-rays Occupational - 0.3% Internal Nuclear medicine Fallout - <0.3% Terrestrial Consumer products Nuclear fuel cycle - 0.1% Cosmic Others Miscellaneous - 0.1% [Adapted from: Ionizing Radiation Exposure of the Population of United States (National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), Report No. 93, 1987.] Indicators of Stress related to radiation bohazards: Some studies have indicated the stress baseline measures of antioxidants superoxide dismutase-SOD, catalase, glutathione, and blood lactate levels in healthy male subjects as indicators of damage done from radiation. Personal Protective Equipment : Breathing out the hazardous materials and practising powerful breathing techniques which can incorporate specific natural rythms of breath to release stress and bring the mind to complete peace and attention.The breathing practice along with the pratice of special forms of yoga which can increase the breathing capacity in an indivdual can be considered as an adjunct to the personalprotecio regime.The combined practice of Yoga, Meditation and Powerful breathing techniques are instrumental in creating a sense of harmony in the body and mind for proper functioning of the vital systems of the body. Conclusion : Assessing the potential benefits of stress relieving techniques therefore can be proposed as a subject of research and the special breathing forms with stress relieving sessions as one of the personal protective equipment in future for radiation related hazards. References: 1. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th edition,McGraw Hill. 2. Excerpts from the course " Healing and Spirituality in Medicine" from Benson- Henry MindBody Institute, Harvard Medical School, Dept. Continuing Education, December, 2008. Ved Vignan Mahavidyapeeth, 2002-2010. © 2009- 2010, Michigan
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radiation, electromagnetic, superoxide dismutase, catalse, glutathione, protective,
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