Olympus Radiation Safety

Question 1

Electromagnetic Radiation Spectrum from Long WL to Short

Answer 1

• Radio
• Microwave
• Infrared
• Visible
• Ultraviolet
• X-Ray
• Gamma

Question 2

Types of radiation

Answer 2

• Ionizing (particle and non-particle)
• Non-ionizing (non-particle)

Question 3

Types of particle radiation

Answer 3

• Alpha particles
• Beta particles

Question 4

Types of non-ionizing, non-particle radiation

Answer 4

• UV
• IR
• Microwave

Question 5

Types of ionizing, non-particle radiation

Answer 5

• X-rays
• Gamma rays

Question 6

Non-ionizing radiation

Answer 6

• Does not eject electrons from atoms
• Can cause burns
• Does not cause acute radiation poisoning

Question 7

Ionizing radiation

Answer 7

• Can eject electrons from atoms
• Can cause burns
• Can cause acute radiation poisoning

Question 8

Typical US radiation exposure level

Answer 8

620 milli-Rem

Question 9

What does REM stand for?

Answer 9

Roentgen Equivalent in Man

Question 10

Most common unit of measurement for XRF radiation?

Answer 10

mREM

Question 11

What does RAD stand for?

Answer 11

Radiation Adsorbed Dose

Question 12

Convert 1 Sievert (Sv) to REM

Answer 12

100 REM

Question 13

What is the average exposure for Olympus employees?

Answer 13

20 mREM / year

Question 14

What is the average exposure for smoking?

Answer 14

280 mREM / year

Question 15

What is the exposure for a mammogram?

Answer 15

70 mREM

Question 16

What is the exposure for a dental X-ray?

Answer 16

10 mREM per X-ray

Question 17

What is the exposure for a chest X-ray?

Answer 17

8 mREM per X-ray

Question 18

What is the exposure from drinking water per year?

Answer 18

5 mREM / year

Question 19

What is the average exposure for a cross-country flight?

Answer 19

5 mREM / trip

Question 20

Occupational Limits of exposure

Answer 20

• Hands and feet: 50,000 mREM/yr
• Eyes (lens): 15,000 mREM/yr
• Skin: 50,000 mREM/yr
• Thyroid: 50,000 mREM/yr
• Whole Body: 5,000 mREM/yr

Question 21

<10,000 mREM

Answer 21

No clinically discernible effects

Question 22

50,000 mREM

Answer 22

Slight changes in blood chemistry, but no detrimental effects

Question 23

100,000 mREM

Answer 23

Alteration to blood chemistry. Virtually impossible to get this from an XRF

Question 24

200,000 mREM

Answer 24

Nausea, vomiting, fatigue. Requires a nuclear event

Question 25

400,000 mREM

Answer 25

Nausea, vomiting, fatique, gastrointestinal effects, may cause premature death

Question 26

700,000 mREM

Answer 26

Acute exposure; failure of major organ systems; death likely

Question 27

Math for exposure with proper use of XRF

Answer 27

* 0.1 mREM / hr at trigger (hand) * 10 hours / day * 5 days / week * 50 weeks / year * 250 mREM / yr * 0.5% of regulatory limit

Question 28

Olympus safety features

Answer 28

* Radiation warning lights * Trigger Lock (dissable mechanical trigger) * Optional "Deadman" trigger * Radation label at the front and upon log-in * Proximity detector at the nose

Question 29

What is ALARA?

Answer 29

Keep radiation exposure "As Low As Reasonably Achievable"

Question 30

Three main approaches to practice ALARA

Answer 30

* Time * Distance * Shielding

Question 31

ALARA Time

Answer 31

* Less time = less radiation exposure * Never test longer than required * Don't take more tests than necessary

Question 32

ALARA Distance

Answer 32

* Don't use your hand to hold a sample in front of analyzer * Never point at yourself or others * Keep away from snout (scattering) * Don't scan through a table * Stay behind or above analyzer * 3 paces (3 meters) is considered safe for non-operators

Question 33

X-ray decay in air

Answer 33

Inverse Square Law intensity = 1/(distance)^2

Question 34

Questions to ask local regulation agency

Answer 34

* Local contact? * Will there be on-site inspections? * Audits? * Monitoring requirements? * Registratin and licensing requirements? * Cost? * Must register by when and can we use prior to registration?