Radioactive Hazards

Radioactive Hazards are minimal at Longwood University.

Radiation hazards are broken into two types: ionizing and non-ionizing.

Ionizing Radiation

Ionizing radiation is a type of energy released by atoms that travels in the form of electromagnetic waves (gamma or X-rays) or particles (neutrons, beta or alpha). The spontaneous disintegration of atoms is called radioactivity, and the excess energy emitted is a form of ionizing radiation.

Ionizing radiation can affect the atoms in living things, so it poses a health risk by damaging tissue and DNA in genes and has sufficient energy to affect the atoms in living cells and thereby damage their genetic material (DNA).

Longwood University has two types of ionizing radiation hazards:

• Substances that are radioactive: We have small quantities of a very few naturally radioactive compounds such as uranium ore.
• Devices that generate X-rays: There are a few devices that generate X-rays only when they are (a) plugged in and (b) turned on.

Non-Ionizing Radiation

Non-ionizing radiation is described as a series of energy waves composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields traveling at the speed of light. Non-ionizing radiation includes the spectrum of ultraviolet (UV), visible light, infrared (IR), microwave (MW), radio frequency (RF), and extremely low frequency (ELF).

Non-ionizing radiation is relatively low-energy radiation that doesn't have enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules. It's located at the low end of the electromagnetic spectrum. ... Although considered less dangerous than ionizing radiation, overexposure to non-ionizing radiation can cause health issues.

Longwood University has various non-ionizing radiation sources such as: a Class IV LASER and a radio transmitting tower.

Radiation Safety

LASER Safety

A laser is a device which produces an intense, coherent, directional beam of light by stimulating electronic or molecular transitions to lower energy levels.

There are four classes of lasers:

• Class 1 – Low Power – Exempt Lasers and Laser Systems: No special warnings or control measures are required.
• Class 2 – Low Power Visible Lasers and Laser Systems: The power output is sufficiently low enough to prevent injury (acute exposures), but may produce retinal injury when stared at for a long period of time.
• Class 3– Medium Power Visible Lasers and Laser Systems:
• Class 3A Injury may result when the energy is collected and put into the eye, as with optical components.
• Class 3B Medium Power Lasers and Laser Systems: Biological damage is possible from acute direct or secularly reflective exposure.

Class 4 – High Power Lasers and Laser Systems: Biological damage is possible from acute direct, diffuse or secularly reflective exposure.

ALARA - (As Low As Reasonably Achievable)

Acronym for "As Low As Reasonably Achievable." It means making every reasonable effort to maintain exposures to ionizing radiation as far below the dose limits as practical. Be consistent with the purpose for which the licensed activity is undertaken, taking into account the state of technology, the economics of improvements in relation to state of technology, the economics of improvements in relation to benefits to the public health and safety, and other societal and socioeconomic considerations. These means are in relation to utilization of nuclear energy and licensed materials in the public interest.

There are three major principles that assist in maintaining ALARA and can help prevent both unnecessary exposure and overexposure: time, distance and shielding.

• Time: Minimize the time spent near a radiation source to only what it takes to get the job done
• Distance: maximize your distance from a radiation source as much as you can. The greater the distance, the lower the dose
• Shielding: put something between you and the radiation source.

For more information on Radioactive Hazards email safety@longwood.edu