Plastic gloves protect you from radiation exposure in the lab.
Radiation is extremely toxic, yet people who work in power plants, submarines and other places that generate and use energy derived from radiation must be exposed to it. Those who work in hospitals and clinics performing X-rays must deal with radiation. By following standard operating procedures for radiation safety, they can minimize the risk of harm from direct exposure.
Definition
When you think of radiation, plutonium and uranium, two radioactive elements used to make nuclear energy, might immediately come to mind. However, many other substances emit radiation, requiring others, not just those who work with plutonium and uranium, to follow standard operating procedures for safety. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration office defines radiation as "energy traveling through space." It notes that "non-ionizing radiation is essential to life, but excessive exposures will cause tissue damage." All ionizing radiation forms contain enough energy to ionize atoms that may destabilize molecules within cells and lead to tissue damage, it explains.
Sources of Radiation
Many substances that emit radiation are commonly used in research labs. For instance, carbon-14, calcium-45, hydrogen-3 and phosphorus-33 are radionuclides that emit beta particles. Chromium-51, iodine-125, phosphorus-32 and sulfur-35 are radionuclides that emit gamma rays. The major concern in using these substances is that they can't be easily monitored while you're using them. You can be exposed to radiation in the air over an unshielded vial, and the skin of your hands is vulnerable to surface exposure, according to radiation safety documents published by Upstate Medical University.
Basic Handling Care
UMU says some basic operating procedures for handling these chemicals include designating a specific lab setting for their handling; wearing a full-length coat; using two pairs of disposable gloves to protect the hands from contact during spills; immediately disposing of gloves that have come into direct contact with these materials; and opening stock vials in a properly functioning fume hood. Also, wounds should be covered, notes the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Safety goggles are also a must-have. Whenever possible, the center suggests using tongs, clamps or tweezers to handle materials, instead of your hands.
Posting and Labeling
Areas where radioactive materials are stored and handled should have signs indicating that, according to the cancer center. Materials should be properly labeled so that they are not accidentally picked up by someone not wearing protective gloves. "Store radioactive material in clearly labeled and tightly closed containers," the center says.
Preventing Contamination
Do not bring food and drinks into areas where work is conducted using radioactive materials, because these could become contaminated and subsequently ingested. Because some radiation may end up on plastic gloves or lab coats, it's also important not to take these items home after working with radioactive materials. When disposing of radioactive materials, use specially designated and clearly labeled waste containers, the cancer center suggests. Finally, double-contain radioactive materials when transporting them, even if it's just down the hall, to avoid spillage.
Tags: radioactive materials, operating procedures, that emit, cancer center, center suggests
