Memory Anchor:

• Super Challenge:

  Stretch:

  Challenge:

Key Questions:

1. What is meant by radioactive contamination?
   • Radioactive contamination is the unwanted presence of materials containing radioactive atoms on other materials.
2. What is the hazard of contamination?
   • The hazard from contamination is due to the decay of the contaminating atoms. The type of radiation emitted affects the level of hazard.
3. What is Irradiation?
   • Irradiation is the process of exposing an object to nuclear radiation. The irradiated object does not become radioactive.
4. What are the hazards associated with contamination and irradiation?
   • The radiation from the material can damage the Cells of the person directly. This is damage by irradiation. Some of the radioactive material can be swallowed or breathed in. While inside the body, the radiation it emits can produce damage. This is damage by contamination.
5. What type of suitable precaution must be taken to protect against any hazard that the radioactive source used in the process of irradiation may present.
   • Wearing protective clothing keeping as far away as is practicable - for example, by using tongs keeping your exposure time as short as possible, and keeping radioactive materials in lead-lined containers, labelled with the appropriate hazard symbol.