Why Radiation is Harmful

This lesson covers:

  1. The meaning of the terms 'contamination' and 'irradiation'
  2. Why radiation is harmful to our DNA and cells
  3. The most and least harmful types of radiation
  4. Some of the safety precautions required when handling radioactive substances

Irradiation is the process by which objects are __________ radiation.

protected from

exposed to

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Which of the following are ionising radiation?

(Select all that apply)

Microwave radiation

Alpha particles

Gamma rays

Visible light

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Illustration of an elderly person moving away from a radioactive source with glowing particles.

Irradiation / Contamination


is when radioactive particles get onto your body or other objects.

Contamination

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Which of the following are not ionising radiation?

Infrared radiation

X-rays

Beta particles

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Which factors determine how harmful the radiation is?

(Select all that apply)

The amount of antioxidants in your body

The type of radiation

The amount of radiation you receive

Where you're exposed to the radiation

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What might happen if DNA is exposed to ionising radiation?

(Select all that apply)

The cell could divide uncontrollably and become cancerous

The DNA could become radioactive

The DNA could be destroyed

The DNA could mutate

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Diagram showing radiation types in order of harm from least harmful to most harmful, including radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, gamma rays, beta particles, and alpha particles.

The above diagram shows radiation in order of harm, when the source of radiation is in close contact with your body.


Which radiation is out of place in the diagram?

Alpha radiation

X-ray radiation

Infra-red radiation

Ultraviolet radiation

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Four radioactive substances are on the table across the room from you. Which is the least harmful and why?

Alpha radiation because it's not very ionising

Gamma radiation because it's not very ionising

Beta radiation because it's not very ionising

Alpha radiation because it can't penetrate very far in air

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Which radioactive substance is the most harmful inside the body and why?

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Illustration showing three flasks with varying amounts of yellow particles representing different levels of radiation exposure.

What are the factors that affect the amount of radiation you receive?

(Select all that apply)

How far away from the source you are

Whether you're in good or poor health

How long you're exposed for

How radioactive the substance is

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What safety precautions can be taken when handling radioactive substances?

(Select all that apply)

Wear overalls

Freeze the radioactive substance first

Store the radioactive substance in a lead-lined box

Use tongs when picking up the radioactive substance

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True or false? Once you've become irradiated, you become radioactive and can emit radiation to others.

True

False

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