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Session I.4.3

Part I Review of Fundamentals

Module 4 Sources of Radiation

Session 3 Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Neutron Sources

IAEA Post Graduate Educational CourseRadiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources

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In this session we will discuss Radioactive Sources which emit:

Alpha Beta Gamma X-ray Neutron

Overview

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Relative Radioactive Source Activity

Example SI UnitsEnvironmental samplesLaboratory standardIn-vitro tracerNuclear medicineCalibration sourceTeletherapy sourceIrradiator

millibecquerels 10-3

becquerels 100

kilobecquerels 103

megabecquerels 106

gigabecquerels 109

terabecquerels 1012

petabecquerels 1015

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Reactor

FuelFission Products

Activation Products

Non-Reactor

MedicalIndustrialMilitaryAviationSupport

ResearchCommercial

Where Radionuclides are Found

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Samples ofRadionuclide Sources

Medical

Human Use (MBq-TBq) Nuclear Medicine

Diagnostic (99mTc, 131I, 153Gd, 125I, 201Tl) Therapeutic (131I, 32P, 89Sr)

Radiation Therapy Teletherapy (60Co) Brachytherapy (137Cs, 192Ir, 198Au, 125I, 109Pd)

Non-Human Use (KBq) In-Vitro Laboratory (125I, 51Cr, 59Co)

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Industrial (GBq-PBq)

Radiography (192Ir, 60Co, 137Cs)

Well Logging (241Am, 137Cs, 60Co, 238U, 131I, 3H)

Irradiators (60Co, 137Cs)

Gauges

Fixed (137Cs, 60Co, 147Pm) Portable (241Am, 137Cs)

Fuel Cycle (U)

Samples ofRadionuclide Sources

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Support (KBq or less)

Calibration/Check Sources (60Co, 137Cs, 239Pu, 241Am, 252Cf, 238U, 90Sr, 232Th)

Laboratory Standards (many)

Research (MBq)

Chromatographs (63Ni)

Education (many)

Samples ofRadionuclide Sources

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Commercial (varies – typically MBq or less)

Personal Wristwatches (3H, 147Pm) Dinnerware (U)

Recreational Lantern Mantles (232Th)

Safety Smoke Detectors (241Am) Warning/Exit Signs (3H) Shielding (238U)

Service Anti-Static Devices (210Po)

Samples ofRadionuclide Sources

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Military (MBq)

Non-Nuclear Weapons Armor Piercing Projectiles (238U)

Survival Lensatic Compasses (3H, 147Pm) Chemical Agent Monitors (63Ni, 241Am, 3H)

Samples ofRadionuclide Sources

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Aviation (Bq-MBq)

Operational

Fixed Wing Aircraft Oil Level Indicators (85Kr) Aileron Counterweights (238U) Magnesium/Nickel Skin Panels (232Th) Spark Gaps/Igniters (60Co)

Helicopter Blade Integrity and Ice Detection (90Sr)

Samples ofRadionuclide Sources

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Aviation (MBq-TBq)

Historic Displays/Vintage Aircraft (226Ra)

Safety Items Runway Lights, Markers and Exit Signs (3H)

Samples ofRadionuclide Sources

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Sample Alpha, Beta,Gamma Sources

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Sample Alpha Sources

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Sample Beta Sources

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Sample Gamma Sources

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Sample Neutron Sources

Most neutron sources are either alpha-beryllium sources (Pu-Be, Am-Be, Ra-Be, Po-Be etc) or Californium-252

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Sample X-Ray Sources

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Where to Get More Information

Cember, H., Johnson, T. E., Introduction to Health Physics, 4th Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York (2008)

Martin, A., Harbison, S. A., Beach, K., Cole, P., An Introduction to Radiation Protection, 6th Edition, Hodder Arnold, London (2012)

Attix, F. H., Introduction to Radiological Physics and Radiation Dosimetry, Wiley and Sons, Chichester (1986)

Firestone, R.B., Baglin, C.M., Frank-Chu, S.Y., Eds., Table of Isotopes (8th Edition, 1999 update), Wiley, New York (1999)