This question is about radioactivity.Exposing people to radioactive sources can be dangerous. Describe the dangers of exposure to radioactive sources and what can be done to protect hospital staff when they are working with radioactive sources – 8021

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1. Radioactive sources are dangerous because the radiation they give off is ionising. This means it can damage or kill living cells. It can also cause mutations in DNA, which might lead to cancer. In some cases, radiation can even burn the skin if the dose is high enough.

   To protect hospital staff who work with radioactive sources, several safety measures are used. Staff can use tongs to handle the sources so they don’t get too close. The sources are stored in lead containers to block the radiation. Staff should also keep their distance and only use the sources for the shortest time possible. Wearing protective clothing, like lead-lined aprons, helps protect them too. Sometimes treatments are done behind a protective wall or shield. Staff also wear radiation badges (called dosimeters) to keep track of how much radiation they are exposed to.

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