What is the Difference Between Harmful & Non-Harmful Radiation Exposure?

The first thing to know is that not all radiation is harmful. Some forms of radiation, such as power lines, low-frequency microwaves and infrared waves are everyday sources of radiation, but in their low-frequency forms, they are harmless. Even your cell phone puts you at risk for low-frequency radiation exposure.

TOther forms of radiation, such as x-rays, atomic weapons energy, and many radioactive elements are considered ionizing. These are harmful because they actually irreversibly alter the DNA blueprints in your cells. Ionizing radiation sources are kind you want to be wary of, especially if you have a job or career that puts you at risk for elevated radiation exposure.

TMost of us don’t have to worry about ionizing forms of radiation in our everyday lives because we don’t work in outer space or closer to the boundaries of earth’s atmosphere. However, nuclear events such as the Fukishima nuclear meltdown, following the 2011 tsunami, do place these everyday risks closer to home. And then, there are lots of things that expose us to low doses – that can all add up to higher doses if you aren’t paying attention.

6 Radiation Sources in Our Daily Lives

The good news is that most of the radiation doses we get in our daily lives are too low to worry about. Here are some of the most common sources of everyday radiation:

Drinking Water

Drinking water in the U.S. typically contains low levels of radiation as it is sourced from rivers, lakes, or wells where it absorbs radiation from natural sources like rocks and soil. Public water supplies are required to meet EPA standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act with proper testing and treating. 

Soil

The natural radiation in soils and rocks is called “primordial” or “terrestrial” radiation. The low-level radiation that emanates from soil or rock is as a result of isotopes of their radioactive elements that are part of rocks and minerals in the Earth’s crust. Soils, produced from the wearing away of these minerals and rocks, consist of radioactive elements. Although high levels of radionuclides in the soil can contaminate water and food, a number of agencies, including the EPA, regularly test supplies for radioactivity.

Gadgets and Household Goods

Cell phones, fluorescent lamps, smoke detectors, watches, clocks, and even ceramics all emit some form of radiation, but at low rates that have no known effect on health. Cell phones, which emit low levels of radiofrequency energy (a type of non-ionizing radiation) are probably the most discussed and studied on this list and several agencies worldwide have conducted inconclusive studies.

The FDA states: “Some people are concerned that radiofrequency energy from cell phones will cause cancer or other serious health hazards. Based on the evaluation of the currently available information, the FDA believes that the weight of scientific evidence has not linked exposure to radiofrequency energy from cell phone use with any health problems at or below the radio frequency exposure limits set by the FCC.”

The FDA also monitors and analyzes public health data on cancer rates in the U.S. population. The data clearly demonstrate no widespread rise in the brain and other nervous system cancers in the last 30 years despite the enormous increase in cell phone use during this period.

Plane Travel

Cosmic radiation, produced by the stars, including our own sun, accounts for about 5% of background radiation exposure in the U.S. When we fly, we’re no longer under the protection of the atmosphere and are exposed to low levels of radiation. For a cross country flight, the amount of radiation is less than the amount we receive from one chest x-ray. The higher the altitude, the higher the dose of radiation, and the farther north or south you are from the Equator, the more radiation. According to the CDC, whether you fly or not, a person’s average dose from cosmic radiation is 0.33 mSv (33 mrem) or 11% of our yearly exposure to all-natural sources of radiation.

Medical Imaging

Over 80 million CT scans are now performed in the United States each year, compared with just three million in 1980. This increase has helped to eliminate the need for once-common exploratory surgeries and many other invasive and potentially risky procedures. However, it has also led to increased radiation exposure. “Exposure to ionizing radiation from natural or background sources hasn’t changed since about 1980, but Americans’ total per capita radiation exposure has nearly doubled, and experts believe the main reason is increased use of medical imaging,” says Harvard Women’s Health Watch. Health risks from medical radiation appear to be minimal but it can still be a good idea to keep your exposure to medical radiation as low as possible by discussing high-dose diagnostic imaging with your doctor, considering a lower dose radiation test, having less frequent testing if possible, and not asking for unnecessary scans.

Cigarette Smoking

By now we all know the health risks of smoking. The 43 million Americans who still smoke are increasing their risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. But did you know they are also exposing themselves to radioactive minerals—including radium, lead-210, and polonium-210 (from certain fertilizers) that tobacco plants can accumulate? Over time, trapped alpha particles build up in the lungs and can create long term radiation exposure to the airways and lungs, increasing the risk of cancer.

Final Thoughts

As with any aspect of our health, education is key. It can be helpful to understand your exposure to daily doses of radiation in balance with unhealthy practices such as eating fast foods, not exercising, or smoking tobacco. 

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Choose the Right Type of Face Mask

While the CDC and other experts recommend wearing a face mask, they also stress that cloth face masks do not replace the need for washing hands or social distancing, and do not alone prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control recommends using cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are hard to maintain. If you’re an essential worker, your job may require you to wear a mask at all times while performing your duties. 

Choose a Face Mask That Fits Properly

A mask that is too tight or too loose and requires frequent adjustment defeats the essential purpose of your face covering. Look for masks that:

• Fits snugly but comfortably against the side of your face
• Can be secured with ties or ear loops
• Allow for easy breathing without restriction
• Can be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to the shape

How to Correctly Put On and Remove a Face Mask

• Always clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer before applying your mask
• Cover your nose and mouth completely as you put on your mask
• Once your mask is on, avoid touching it and adjusting it as much as possible
• When removing your mask, be careful not to touch your eyes or nose.
• Wash and/or disinfect your hands immediately after removing
• Store your mask in a clean, protected space

(Note that the CDC recommends that face coverings should not be placed on children younger than 2 years of age, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance.)

Clean and Care for Your Face Mask

Ideally, masks should be washed after each use, even if your mask includes a filter. In addition to potentially harmful airborne contaminants, moisture from your breath, sweat, oils, and makeup can cling to your mask and cause bacteria. It’s critical to have more than one mask to wear and a plan for laundering that allows you a fresh mask each day.

Washing Your Face Mask

Heat can be effective at destroying viruses, making hot water your first choice to help disinfect your face mask. World Health Organization tests showed that a temperature of 132.8°F was high enough to kill the coronavirus that causes SARS, a virus similar to COVID-19. If your machine has a sanitizing cycle, which usually reaches a water temperature of 150-165°F, use it! Otherwise, choose the hottest temperature available. Other tips for washing:

• A mesh laundry bag will offer protection during the wash cycle
• Look for “pre-shrunk” or “pre-washed” mask fabrics
• To save energy, place your face mask in the wash with other items that can withstand hot water such as linens and towels
• For hand-washing, use warm/hot (not scalding) water and scrub the mask for at least 20 seconds.

Drying Your Face Mask

The CDC recommends drying cloth face coverings completely in a hot dryer. You may want to consider ironing your mask to kill any lingering germs and help the mask retain its shape. After washing and drying, you should store the mask in a clean container or bag before use.

Handling and Storing Your Face Mask

To prevent the spread of germs from a mask to another person, the CDC suggests that the mask’s wearer should typically be the only one handling it. If that’s not possible in your household, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling the laundry. 

Frequent Usage

If you’re an essential worker who has to wear a mask every day, it’s smart to have a few different masks on hand so you don’t have to wash a mask every day. Frequent washing, especially in hot water, can break down fibers more quickly and degrade the fabric. Worn-out fabric will be much less effective in capturing airborne particles. Carefully check your mask for holes or worn out areas.

Wearing Glasses with Your Face Mask

If you have to wear glasses, you have probably run into the issue of having your glasses fog up when you’re wearing a mask. The issue can be better or worse depending on the fit of the mask and the weather. If your mask is making it difficult to see through your glasses, try these tips:

• Tighten the overall fit around your face
• Your mask may not be tight enough around the bridge of your nose. If your mask has a metal band try adjusting it more closely to the contours of your face
• Adjust the position of your mask and glasses
• Try lowering where the mask sits on your face, but not so much that the majority of your nose and all of your mouth are not covered
• Wash your glasses in soap and water to create a protective film on the lenses that prevents fogging
• Try a commercial anti-fogging spray

HEPA Grade Filter Face Masks

HEPA filters are designed to clear out at least 99.7 percent of particulates that are 0.3 microns or larger in size. In response to the coronavirus, Lancs has added a new face mask to our line of Protective Clothing. Our mask has an internal layer of HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) grade filter media with a minimum efficiency of 99.97%, and is used in other products to filter gases at nuclear facilities.

Stay Safe

Remember that a simple face covering will not offer full protection from the coronavirus. To help stop the virus’s spread, avoid contact with people who are sick, stay 6 feet away from others (social distancing) and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time. 

Read more about face coverings from the CDC.

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Nuclear fission splits the atoms of heavy metals

The scientists discovered that splitting the atoms of heavy metals, specifically radioactive uranium, releases a tremendous amount of energy. This is the opposite process to nuclear fusion – the joining together of atoms – which occurs in suns and stars.

As it seems to be with many scientific discoveries, nuclear fission happened as an accident. It was a byproduct of experimenting with newly identified neutrons to explore atoms. In fact, the first incidences of nuclear fission were happening as the result of experiments a physicist named Enrico Fermi conductrf back in 1934.

At the time, Fermi theorized that the elements resulting from the neutron-bombarded uranium atoms were the first elements heavier than uranium. Another scientist, Ida Noddack proposed the byproducts were lighter, not heavier, but her input was largely ignored by scientific academics at the time. Instead, it turned out Fermi was creating elements that were lighter than uranium, including the remnants of various decay products.

Multiple scientists continued to bombard uranium and other heavy metals with neutrons, trying to learn as much as they could about atoms and this mysterious ocurrance. Otto, Fritz, and colleague Lise Meitner continued performing experiments and calculations, and finally figured out what was happening – that the uranium atoms were splitting in two, similar to the way a drop of water does when spliced in half.

As aps.org reports, “Frisch named the new nuclear process “fission” after learning that the term “binary fission” was used by biologists to describe cell division.”

Within months of their research being published (without any mention of Lise Meitner’s substantial contributions to the experimentation and theorizing), physicists and others realized this splitting of atoms had the potential to generate vast quantities of energy.

Unfortunately, the technology was first leveraged in the form of the widely disastrous and life-altering weapon known as the Atomic bomb. The controversial, secondary byproduct of their discovery is nuclear energy, which is now used to run nuclear power plants.

Nuclear power uses the micro-process of fission to generate steam power

As a source of “clean” energy, nuclear fission is used to produce mass quantities of steam that spins turbines, converting it the steam into electricity.

General Electric explains:

Nuclear power plants use low-enriched uranium fuel to produce electricity through a process called fission—the splitting of uranium atoms in a nuclear reactor. Uranium fuel consists of small, hard ceramic pellets that are packaged into long, vertical tubes. Bundles of this fuel are inserted into the reactor.

A single uranium pellet, slightly larger than a pencil eraser, contains the same energy as a ton of coal, 3 barrels of oil, or 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas. Each uranium fuel pellet provides up to five years of heat for power generation. And because uranium is one of the world’s most abundant metals, it can provide fuel for the world’s commercial nuclear plants for generations to come.

Currently, there are more than 450 nuclear reactors actively producing energy in 30 different countries. The United States has the most nuclear reactors, followed by France and Japan. In fact, in 2018, 80% of the energy used in France was generated by nuclear power.

Just as nuclear power generates tremendous heat, the debate about whether or not nuclear power is a clean source of energy continues to be debated. It is true that a perfectly designed, maintained, and functioning nuclear power plant is emissions-free.

The controversy is due to the reality that no system is perfect, and the effects of maintenance errors, malfunctions, meltdowns, or improper storage of radioactive materials have led to disastrous tragedies, like Fukushima and Chernobyl, where radiation levels will remain high for multiple generations to come.

Also, there is the reality that while nuclear power doesn’t require the burning or use of fossil fuels, uranium stores (like fossil fuels) are not renewable, and their mining, processing, handling, and disposal requires an extreme level of protection and safety protocols.

For the positives surrounding nuclear power, we direct you to NEI.com and GE.com, both of whom are proponents of nuclear power.

Protection from incidents related to nuclear power

The undeniable reality around nuclear power is that it is exceptionally clean – until it isn’t. Then, it is exceptionally harmful. For that reason, individuals who work in radioactive environments, and those who work or live in close proximity to nuclear power plants, are wise to remain informed, alert, and prepared for a potential disaster.

This includes:

• Adhering to ALARA and the three principles of radiation
• Understanding the benefits of potassium chloride if a nuclear event occurs
• Taking careful protection by donning and using relevant radiation shielding products
• Investing in and using a dosimeter

The team here at Lancs Industries dedicates our lives and our career to providing radiation shielding and protection products, including customized radiation protection, to companies and radiation-vulnerable industries. Contact us to learn more about our products and services.

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For more detailed information about radiation and its effects on pregnancy, visit The March of Dimes’ page on Radiation and Pregnancy. And, if you feel you or your partner at a higher-than-normal risk of radiation exposure, speak to your healthcare provider ASAP for customized, medical support.

The good news is that basic precautions go a long way to minimizing the detrimental impacts of unhealthy radiation exposure.

Know the Radiation Risks Before You Conceive

If you’re planning to get pregnant, odds are your doctor encourages you to prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy, considering lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, and healthy sleep habits.

We’d encourage you to go a step further and evaluate if you or your partner are experiencing higher-than-healthy doses of radiation. Some things to consider to minimize daily risks of radiation exposure include:

Knowing the ins-and-outs of your workplace

We’ve put together a list of “radioactive jobs or careers” associated with radiation exposure. However, it’s worth asking your employer whether or not you are exposed at work. It could be that you work in the office, and the manufacturing floor uses radioactive products, in which case you need to know so you can avoid certain areas or protect yourself accordingly.

If you already know you work in a place housing or utilizing radioactive materials, speak to your manager or owner about your concerns. They may opt to move you into a different position, to order higher-level protective products for you, or to place you on a paid leave until you’ve safely given birth to your healthy baby.

Have your home tested for radon

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive material found in the earth. However, some regions are more radon-rich than others, and this odorless/colorless radioactive material can build up in homes or buildings that aren’t adequately ventilated or protected.

Have your home and water sources tested for radon to determine whether or not modifications should be made to bring radon levels down into the safe zone.

Make sure to inform health professionals

While lead blankets go a long way towards protecting you and your baby from radiation exposure during an x-ray or other medical procedures, don’t rely on them completely. Always let healthcare providers know you are trying to conceive or that you are pregnant. They may opt to take extra special measures – or skip those procedures altogether until a later date – to prevent you from harmful radiation exposure.

Inform airport security

Technically, the current security scanning devices used by TSA are considered safe. However, we recommend not taking your chances at all. When pregnant or accompanied by a baby or small child, TSA professionals will let you walk through the metal detectors instead. This may mean requiring an additional pat-down afterward, but these are always done in full view of the public (you can opt for a private screening if you prefer), and very respectfully, with a clear explanation of exactly what they’re doing.

Re-think how/where you use cell phones, laptops, and other Wi-Fi gadgets

Product manufacturers and the government consider cell phones, and other wi-fi gadgets to operate at safe levels when it comes to the electromagnetic (radioactive) energy levels they expose users to on a daily basis.

However, there have been some studies that link laptop and cellphone use to lower/poor sperm count and quality, and damage to DNA. So, the scientific world is continually debating the safety/harm ratios of these devices and the electromagnetic energy used to run them – especially as more Wi-Fi hotspots and cell phone towers populate the environment. We recommend using blue-tooth options whenever possible and keeping cell phones and Wi-Fi devices away from the groin and pelvic regions for extra protection.

Know the signs of radiation sickness

If you do work in a radioactive environment, pay close attention to physical signs and symptoms. Many of the same symptoms that affect women during pregnancy are also symptoms of radiation sickness. Keep in close touch with your healthcare provider if your “pregnancy symptoms” concern you or seem atypical to you.

Above All, Don’t Panic

While it’s true that radiation can be harmful to your reproductive system and/or a developing fetus, we also know that stress is harmful to you and your baby. Since stress is more common than radiation, we don’t want to cause any unnecessary alarm or fear.

Just pay attention to your environments and your daily habits, and take precautions as you see fit. Some types of daily doses of radiation are entirely normal, and humans have evolved to accommodate these.

If, however, you feel your exposure to radiation goes beyond that, it’s wise to take action. If a geographic or career change isn’t an option, contact us here at Lancs Industries. In addition to having a wealth of radiation shielding products available, we also specialize in custom orders. Our team can work with you to determine your level of exposure and the types of radiation protection that make the most sense for you.

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While it is dispersed effectively in an outdoor environment, radon is denser than air. That means it can be trapped inside homes, schools, businesses and other buildings if it seeps in from underground without being adequately ventilated back out again.

Note: Radon can also be found in drinking water. However, the majority of the risk in terms of human radon exposure and radiation sickness/cancer are linked to radon gas inhalation rather than ingestion.

Radon 101: Test, Take Action, and Re-Test

Here are things you should know about radon to prevent harmful exposure.

Some regions are more “radon rich” than others

While radon occurs everywhere and is considered a form of daily radiation exposure, some regions have higher levels of radon than others. You can view a map of the EPA’s Interactive Radon Zones By County.

However, most experts agree that homes, schools, and businesses test for radon annually – or bi-annually – just to make sure radon levels in the building are within the safe limits.

You can purchase an affordable home radon testing kit

You can purchase high-quality, home radon testing kits for $30 or less at your local home improvement store. To ensure you’re getting an accurate reading, the EPA recommends purchasing your kit through Kansas State University’s National Radon Program Services, where short term tests (2- 4-days) are just $15, and longer-term test kits (2 to 12-months) cost $25.

If cost is an issue, visit the EPAs pages regarding their various Radon Grant Programs.

Once testing is complete, you can return the test kit for analysis at no extra charge. If your home, school, or place of business has radon levels that exceed the EPA’s “safe limits” of 148 Bq/m3 (4 pCi/L) or less, you’ll be given instructions on how to proceed.

Hire a licensed, experienced service provider to mitigate radon issues

Mitigating unhealthy radon levels in a home requires a multi-step approach. Read the Consumer’s Guide to Radon Reduction, for detailed instructions and recommendations. Some of the steps required include:

• Sealing foundation cracks, openings, and leaks
• Installing a soil suction radon reduction system, which uses a pipe and fan system to vent radon out of the ground beneath your home and into the outdoors where it disperses naturally
• Creating a gas-permeable layer beneath the slab or flooring

To be on the safe side, it’s best to hire a professional who does this type of work for a living to make sure the measures you take are professionally completed and effective.

The EPA provides two agencies you can contact to locate an experienced radon professional in your area.

National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP)

Toll Free: (800) 269-4174 or (828) 890-4117
Fax: (828) 890-4161
Email: National Radon Proficiency Program (info@nrpp.info)

National Radon Safety Board (NRSB)
Toll Free: (866) 329-3474
Fax: (914) 345-1169
Email: National Radon Safety Board (info@NRSB.org)

Speak to your HVAC contractor about whole-home pressurization and ventilation

The better ventilated your home is, the less likely you are to experience elevated radon levels. Speak to your HVAC contractor about whole-home pressurization and ventilation. This keeps radon moving, and pushes it on out of your home should it makes its way into your home through a basement and/or foundation.

You can also ask about installing a heat recovery ventilator, or HRV, also called an air-to-air heat exchanger. This additional layer of ventilation is another safeguard to prevent radon gas from settling in your home.

Ultimately, education, testing, and preventative measures are the key to keeping radon at safe levels in your home. If you find out your home has high levels of radon, start the conversation with your neighborhood and local community and rally the troops to protect themselves. Odds are you aren’t the only household or building on the block that requires remediation. The simple act of spreading the word and low-cost testing can truly save lives.

The team here at Lancs Industries dedicates our work to protecting employees and the public from unnecessary radiation exposure. Contact us to learn more.

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Unlike other forms of radiation, ionizing radiation is harmful to the human body because it alters our DNA. Longterm and/or overexposure to ionizing radiation can make you sick, cause intense burns, cause cancer, and has additional negative, long-term side effects.

Radioactive Decay Ultimately Makes Unstable Elements Stable

One definition of radioactive decay could be, “the emission of energy in the form of ionizing radiation.” But what is this energy – and how is it “energized?”

First, you have to understand a bit more about the periodic table. Most images of the periodic table are color-coded based on the ways individual elements are categorized into groups. One of the most basic of these groupins is:

• Inert gases
• Metals
• Non-Metals

You could also divide the elements into two categories:

• Stable
• Unstable

Since the majority of the 118 elements found on the current periodic table are considered “stable,” it also means these elements’ nuclei have strong enough bonds to hold themselves permanently together. However, there are 15 elements found in nature that are considered unstable all on their own. Then there are other elements that become unstable via various chemical processes, and that adds about 22 more to the mix. Altogether, the current periodic table shows 37 elements as being radioactive.

The elements’ instability is caused by loose bonds in their nuclei, so the elements continue to “decay,” or lose some of their energy, to achieve a stable, tightly-bound nucleus.

When an element emits ionizing radiation in its efforts to become stable, it is referred to as a radionuclide.

As radionuclides decay, they continue transforming into radioactive variations of themselves, until they finally become stable (and safe again). This process of radioactive decay can happen in a single step, or it can take place over and over again for multiple steps. If radioactive decay occurs multiple times over, the process is referred to as a decay chain.

For example, here is a diagram depicting the decay chain for the very unstable, and radioactive radionuclide, U(ranium)-238, and all of the unstable radionuclides in the decay process until it becomes PB-(Lead)-206, where it’s stable again.

Protect Yourself From Radionuclides

If you work in a lab, weapons manufacturing plant, or anywhere that stable elements are intentionally altered to become radioactive, your company has a Radiation Safety Plan of some sort in place. Similarly, anyone working in another version of a radioactive career will be provided with the education and protective products required to keep them safe.

However, some of us are exposed to radioactive decay in our everyday lives, and this requires awareness and proactive action to keep yourself safe. Ultimately, radiation sickness occurs when you are exposed to large doses of radiation all at once, like a nuclear plant meltdown or nuclear weapons detonation. Or, it can happen via small doses of ionizing radiation over a long period of time. Read, Know Your Radiation Exposure Limits, to learn more about that.

Slow, long-term exposure is the most common way most of us would be affected by radioactive decay. For example, radon is one of those 15, previously mentioned elements that are radioactive and found in Mother Nature. It is part of the earth’s crust and depending on where you live, your home can have higher-than-normal levels of radon toxicity, which is a threat to your health.

In our post about radiation doses in our daily lives, we mentioned that radon, “Radon is a radioactive gas that can is sucked into your home through the soil via cracks, structural holes, and decaying structural materials. Without proper ventilation, this gas gets trapped. Radon may also be present in water that you swallow or dust particles that you inhale.”

You can view the EPA’s Radon Zone Map. However, we recommend having your home tested to be on the safe side. The tests are inexpensive and you can “fix” it if levels are above the recommended guidelines of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher.

Being aware of where you live and its radioactive exposure from geographical, environmental, and industrial sources is the best thing you can do to protect yourself. Protection from harmful ionizing radiation via radioactive decay can be as simple as doing what it takes to “clean it up,” or as serious as moving elsewhere to minimize your family’s risk.

If you are concerned about radioactive decay and whether or not you’re at risk, visit the EPA’s website on Radiation Protection to learn more on the subject.

Lancs Industries is dedicated to creating effective and reasonably priced radiation shielding and containment products to increase the safety of workers in potentially hazardous environments. We’re working to create a safer and healthier world.

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Fortunately, a little education and some basic, routine precautions will protect you from any harmful effects of UV radiation – including cancer – so you can enjoy the health benefits of the great outdoors without worry or stress.

What is UV Radiation?

While sun beds and tanning salons produce manufactured UV light, the large majority of UV radiation we encounter comes to us via sunlight. While they make up only a very small amount of the sun’s rays, UV rays do the most damage to unprotected human skin. In fact, their radiation exposure is considered ionizing, meaning it negatively alters our skin cells’ DNA.

UV rays are divided into three main categories:

1. UVA Rays: Typically, UVA rays are the ones that contribute most to skin cell damage that leads to aging – i.e. wrinkles and minor sun spotting. Experts also think that intense exposure – like the larger-than-sun-power doses of UVA encountered at tanning beds – put you at higher risk for skin cancer.
2. UVB Rays: These rays have more energy than UVA rays. The damage the skin cells via direct contact, so you can blame the UVBs the next time you get a nasty sunburn. Overtime, repeat skin cell damage affects the DNA, which damages the genes that guide healthy cell regeneration, and this causes skin cancer. For some, just a few bad sunburns as a child can lead to skin cancer as an adult.
3. UVC Rays: These are a non-entity for us because although they have more energy than the other two, they are a source of cosmic radiation that is filtered from our planet’s surface by the atmosphere.

Most medical professionals agree that there is no such thing as a “safe” UV ray. Therefore, it’s your job to take adequate precautions.

Use the Principles of Radiation Protection to Prevent Skin Cancer

Because UV rays are a form of radiation, the Principles of Radiation Protection are just as relevant to humans outdoors on a sunny day as they are for anyone who works in a radioactive career. The three principles are:

• It should do more good than harm. Your skin should only be exposed to UV rays when it will do more good than harm. For example, you’re getting outdoors for some exercise and having a good time with yourself, family and friends. On the flip side, if you want to take a nap, you’re better off getting out of the chaise lounge and heading indoors to a couch or bed to minimize exposure.
• You should limit the amount of time you’re exposed. In most cases, peak sun exposure (UV radiation exposure) is from 10 a.m. to about 4 p.m. Therefore, it’s best to spend time outdoors before or after these peak hours, and to limit the amount of time you’re exposed to the UV rays if you are outdoors during those hours.
• Try to limit your radiation dose. If you are spending a fair amount of time in the sun, do your best to limit exposure to reasonable doses. While a dosimeter isn’t necessary, you can notably limit your UV radiation dose by covering up with long sleeves and pants, wearing a hat with an ample brim and trying to stay in the shade. Sunscreen and sunglasses are also protective layers against radiation.

Don’t forget that most UV rays can go right through cloud layers, and water and snow can reflect and magnify their effect. Interestingly, cancer isn’t the only problem UV rays cause. Studies show that UV rays increase your risk of developing cataracts and other vision problems, and they can also suppress the immune system.

The team here at Lancs Industries wishes your family a safe, happy and UV protected summer so you minimize your chances of developing skin cancer.

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The principle of ALARA was established as a fundamental principle in the field of radiation protection and safety. It originated from the growing awareness and understanding of the risks associated with ionizing radiation, which became more pronounced in the mid-20th century as nuclear technology and medical uses of radiation developed. Feel free to learn more about ALARA!

How The Three Principles of Radiation Protection Work

The three principles of radiation protection – Justification, Dose Limitation, and Optimization of Protection – work in conjunction with the ALARA principle to ensure the safety and health of individuals who may be exposed to radiation in various settings. Combined, these principles form a comprehensive approach to radiation safety.

• Justification ensures that only necessary radiation practices are undertaken.
• Dose limitation sets the maximum bounds of exposure.
• Optimization of protection, under the ALARA framework, seeks to minimize exposure as much as reasonably achievable within those bounds.

This multi-layered approach ensures that radiation exposure is managed effectively, balancing the benefits of using radiation (for industrial, medical, or other purposes) against the potential risks associated with it.

Principle 1: Justification

The first principle, justification, stipulates that exposure to radiation must only occur when the benefits outweigh the risks. This principle applies in several scenarios:

• Discovery and Implementation of New Radiation Sources: Every new radiation source or application (such as energy production, industrial radiography or medical imaging) undergoes rigorous evaluation to ensure its benefits justify the exposure.
• Occupational Exposure: Certain professions, like energy production, air or space travel face occupational exposure to radiation individual (as is the case where x-rays, CT and PET-CT equipment is used). The use of radiation in these fields is justified only if the societal or individual benefits are significant.
• Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation: There’s an ongoing requirement for the monitoring and analysis of radiation sources and activities. The S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and other regulatory bodies globally enforce standards and practices to ensure continuous safety improvements.

Principle 1A: Time of Exposure

As an extension of Justification, the principle of Time of Exposure is crucial, particularly in the medical field. In fact, most medical professionals learn about Time of Exposure very early into their education and radiation training.

This principle aims to minimize the duration of radiation exposure to reduce the absorbed dose. Protocols ensure that workers are exposed to radiation for the shortest time possible, consistent with achieving the desired occupational objectives.

Principle 2: Dose Limitation

Dose limitation, the second principle, involves setting and adhering to exposure limits. The key here is the use of dosimeters, devices that measure an individual’s exposure to radiation. These tools enable Radiation Safety Officers and workers to track and manage exposure in real-time.

• Occupational Exposure Limits: The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the NRC set federal limits on occupational radiation exposure. These limits are based on extensive research and are designed to prevent harmful effects (Source: OSHA).
• Minimizing Exposure Through Time Constraints and Shielding: Time constraints and effective radiation shielding are primary methods for controlling occupational exposure. This includes setting work schedules to limit time in high-radiation areas and using materials that block or reduce radiation levels.

Principle 3: Optimization of Protection

Optimization of protection is about creating a holistic approach to minimize radiation exposure. This principle involves:

• Assessing the Probability of Exposure: Evaluating the likelihood of exposure and the number of people affected is a key consideration. This assessment helps in formulating strategies to reduce exposure risks.
• Global and Societal Perspective: This principle encompasses a broader view, considering the collective impact on society and the environment. International guidelines, such as those from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), guide this global approach to radiation safety.

Need Help Keeping Your Company in Agreement With the 3 Principles of Radiation Protection?

Lancs Industries has helped companies and employees, just like yours, with alignment and compliance of current radiation protection policies. We design and manufacture radiation protection and shielding products of all types, and we’re also happy to create custom protection solutions for virtually any application.

Since exposure is higher for those with careers in the radioactive field, contact us to learn more about what we do and to ensure your employees minimize their overall radiation risk via your company’s valuable safety policies.

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Cosmic radiation is considered an ionizing form of radiation, meaning it can potentially alter our DNA. However, the majority of the cosmic radiation we encounter from outer space is absorbed in such very low doses, we aren’t negatively impacted by it. In that way, cosmic radiation is similar to other “everyday” sources of radiation – such as cell phones and microwaves.

Cosmic radiation is a collection of many types of radiation

The following are some of the sources and types of radiation that make their way to us through outer space. Fortunately, as a result of their interaction with the atmosphere (which acts a super-filter), the particles arrive on our planet in a much less potent form. That’s why we aren’t harmed or made ill from them.

Gamma Rays

Gamma rays are (in scientific terms), “a form of electromagnetic radiation” at a higher spectrum and frequency than x-rays. While we can recreate gamma rays or gamma radiation in a lab, the cosmic-sourced forms of gamma rays are created by gamma ray bursts (GRBs). These are the most energetic form of light and produce enough energy that, for a few seconds, they can outshine an entire galaxy.

Microwave background radiation

This is typically what people are talking about when they mention cosmic radiation. According to physlink.com, microwave background radiation, “…consists of very, very low energy photons (energy of about 2.78 Kelvin) whose spectrum is peaked in the microwave region and which are remnants from the time when the universe was only about 200,000 years old.” By the time they reach us, microwave background radiation forms are rendered virtually harmless.

Photons

All of the luminous bodies in the universe emit photons in the forms of particles and waves. This includes our sun (more on that next), stars, quasi-stellar objects and so on. Some of these are much higher-energy than others. For the most part, any photons entering our atmosphere from these luminous objects are so low-energy we don’t have to worry about them.

UV radiation from the sun

For the most part, UV radiation from the sun is the only type of cosmic radiation we earthlings need to worry about. Because of their strength and close proximity to the earth, the UV particles are able to enter the atmosphere at such a high energy that atmospheric interference/protection isn’t quite enough for our naked skin.

Hence, over exposure to UV rays causes sunburns and skin cancers, and those can wind up metastasizing into other forms of cancer. This is why it’s so important to wear protective clothing, hats, sunglasses and/or use sunscreen on exposed areas of your skin when you’re outdoors – particularly during peak seasons and peak hours of the day (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

Neutrinos, high energy muons, protons, anti-protons, and more

All of the celestial bodies mentioned above, as well as others, also emit a series of other particles throughout their emergence and interactions with one other. These include additional sources of cosmic radiation, including neutrinos, high energy muons, protons, electrons, ant-protons and others.

Fortunately for us, the highest and most energetically charged of these never make it to the earth’s atmosphere or surface. They are either deflected by magnetic fields between their original source and us, they lose energy as they interact with other particles along the way or they simply decay during their long flight.

So, never fear; for now and – hopefully – during your lifetime, cosmic radiation won’t be a concern for you. If, however, you find yourself in a radioactive career or working in an industry that utilizes/exposes you to radioactive sources, contact us here at Lancs Industries so we can provide you with the right radiation shielding and protection.

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This is understandable since the word radiation inspires caution and fear for many. However, microwaves operate using non-ionizing radiation. This means it doesn’t harm or scramble cellular DNA, nor does it leave any radioactive residue in your food or the immediate environment that could harm you.

Microwaves use safe, non-ionizing radiation

Microwaves to not use X-rays or gamma-rays to generate heat. Instead, they use a type of radiation (RF radiation) that is powerful enough to move the molecules in a cell around, but not so much that their DNA is altered. Specifically, microwaves move the water molecules around, causing friction. This friction causes water molecules in cells to rub and bang up against each other so fast and so frequently, that it generates heat.

Depending on the strength of the microwaves power setting, and the length of time you leave the food inside an operating microwave, food can be warmed gently, heated to boiling or will cook completely through. Just as you can overcook food, you can over-microwave it too – generating so much heat that the cells begin to break down, and the food can be ruined. Even so, this is not anything that would contribute to radiation sickness or poisoning.

So, the microwave itself isn’t harmful. What you put into the microwave, however, is a different story.

Mind the containers you use in the microwave

First and foremost, you should only use microwave-safe containers when heating or cooking food in a microwave. Anyone who’s ever cheated and put a gold-rimmed china plate in the microwave, or who thought they could save a dish by heating a can of soup inside the can, has learned the hard way after a shower of sparks emitted from the dish/can. This is because metallic ions reflect, rather than absorb, microwaves.

Similarly, many plastics or rubber-based containers that aren’t made for the microwave can warp or melt. This is because they’re made of materials that have a lower melting temperature than the food inside them. If pockets of food get ultra-hot, they can melt the container or plastic-wrapping on top if they aren’t designated as “microwave-safe” products.

Plastics can leach harmful chemicals into your foods and beverages

In fact, while the microwave is completely safe, the plastics you use to contain foods and beverages could be your worst enemy. According to Harvard, certain plastics used to house food and liquids or protect foods and liquids contain chemicals that are harmful – especially when they’re heated and migrate into your microwaved food.

“When food is wrapped in plastic or placed in a plastic container and microwaved, BPA and phthalates may leak into the food. Any migration is likely to be greater with fatty foods such as meats and cheeses than with other foods.”

BPAs and phthalates are known endocrine disruptors (they can alter natural hormone levels), and multiple studies have shown that their presence in humans increases the risk of several medical conditions, including cancer and infertility.

If you are worried about the quality, health and safety of microwaved food products, consider:

• Using glass or bonafide “microwave safe” dishware in the microwave
• Don’t allow plastic wrap to touch food in containers (even when it’ says microwave safe) to prevent the plastic from melting into the food.
• Avoid heating foods in take-out or disposable containers. Instead, transfer it into a microwave-safe alternative.
• Get rid of old, scratched or damaged “microwave safe” plastic containers as the damage may allow them to melt faster or leach chemicals into your food.
• Always vent containers (by lifting the lid a bit or setting it off center) to prevent the food from becoming hot enough to melt the container/plastic wrap.

Microwaves may be good for you

Rather than worrying about microwaves and radiation, we feel you should celebrate the good news. Current studies indicate that microwaving food may actually be better for you than other heating methods because quicker cooking means better overall preservation of vitamins and nutrients.

“The cooking method that best retains nutrients is one that cooks quickly, heats food for the shortest amount of time, and uses as little liquid as possible. Microwaving meets those criteria…That keeps in more vitamins and minerals than almost any other cooking method and shows microwave food can indeed be healthy.”

So, use your microwave with confidence and know that to date, there is no evidence that microwave radiation is dangerous for you as long as you use the appliance as per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Continue to visit the Lancs Industries Blog to learn more about radiation and your health, along with the radiation shielding products that will protect you when and if you’re exposed to harmful, ionizing radiation or radioactive materials.

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