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Asked by anon-232206 to Liam, Laura, Kasia on 19 Nov 2019.
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Laura Sinclair answered on 19 Nov 2019:
I work with radiation such as beta particles and gamma and X-rays.
Gamma-rays and X-rays are electromagnetic radiation that makes up part of the electromagnetic spectrum (like microwaves, UV and visible light). Gamma-rays and X-rays are a high form of energy. X-rays were discovered in 1895 and in 1896, hazards from working with X-rays were noted. Effects such as hair loss and burns were reported, and in 1905 Elizabeth Fleischman, an American radiographer, died from complications resulting from her work with X-rays.The reasons for this is that X-ray have enough energy to ionise atoms (this means remove electrons) and this can disrupt molecular bonds. Therefore, this is known as ionising radiation.
There are two things to consider with exposure to radiation, and the effects can be deterministic (so we know at a set exposure skin burns, or worse can happen) or random (there is a probability that something could happen). So at a very high radiation dose over a short period of time can cause radiation sickness. In comparison lower doses can give a (very small) increased risk of radiation-induced cancer. However, in imaging the benefit outweighs the risk.
This is why physicists are involved in medicine! We do lots of work in radiation protection, to make sure patients are safe when being imaged. X-rays and the like are obviously useful in diagnosing people. Therefore we have lots of safety measures in place and follow principles such as Time-Distance-Shielding to protect ourselves.
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Kasia Clarke answered on 19 Nov 2019: last edited 20 Nov 2019 8:57 pm
Radiation, chemicals, and practical hazards like saws or drills have all been a part of my work at some point. But there’s very little danger to myself because we are forced to spend a lot of time carrying out ‘Risk Assessments’ so thinking about any dangers our work might cause us, our equipment, or other people working nearby and minimise these. We are only allowed to carry out the work once a safety team has been assured that we have taken every precaution possible. I work at times with very strong acids which could do a lot of harm, but that means I wear a lab-coat, a plastic coat over that, thick gloves, goggles then a plastic hat covering my face, no exposed skin, the work is done within a special shielded area of the lab, and I have to have a second person there to help in an incident which means that while I have to be very careful, the risk is very low. I have filed down the odd fingertip polishing samples though.
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Liam Gaffney answered on 20 Nov 2019:
Laura and Kasia already gave very good answers about the dangers of radiation, which is the risk that is least understood by non-scientists because you can’t see it. So other than banging your head or dropping expensive detectors and breaking them, the dangers are often the same as any other job.
I would say that the biggest danger and work-related risk nowadays is stress and mental health. We push ourselves to work as hard as we can and achieve the best results, so that we can be proud of ourselves and to get the next job or promotion. But we have to be mindful to keep a good work/life balance and take time away from work to exercise and chill.
Comments
Felix commented on :
I have worked at one department with Cobalt 60 radiation sources, one with hazardous gasses such as carbon monoxide and one department that used a radioactive gas known as Tritium. All these hazards are managed with a number of safety systems such as gas masks, controlled areas and lead shields that are either built into the walls or moved around like barricades.
There are also a number of other occupational hazards common to a engineering environment such as sharp tools, heavy equipment and occasionally working at height. All members of the workforce are trained to deal with these common hazards and follow ALOT of regulations set out by the government. During my first year at the training college they made us learn and basically memorise a bunch of these 😮