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EXPANDING USE OF IONIZING RADIATION: ITS HAZARDS AND CONTROL

Journal Article · · Industrial Hygiene Review (U.S.)
OSTI ID:4727451

The role of public health officials in protecting the public, particularly urban populations, against radiation is discussed. Aside from accidents, the health hazards of radiation exposure associated with industrial uses of radioactive materials are classified by: direct exposure of individuals who must handle and use radiation-emitting materials during the course of manufacture, storage, transportation, and use; exposure of workers to trace amounts of radioactive materials in their environment, to the extent that they might inhale or ingest significant quantities, which then would be deposited within their bodies; and release of radioactive waste materials either accidentally or deliberately to the extent that they enter air, drinking water, and foods in significant quantities. Restrictions have been placed on the movement of motor vehicles carrying radioactive materials. For maintenance of a healthy radiation safety program, 3 objectives are proposed: careful planning for every operation in order to reduce to a minimum the risk that any individual will become severely overexposed to radiation; maintenance of a respect for radiation hazards and exertion of an effort to keep well within the maximum permissible dose limits, and exertion of extreme efforts to avoid excessive radioactive contamination of the environment by the careful monitoring and control of airborne effluents as well as of any materials released into the ground. (TCO)

Research Organization:
Office of Radiation Control, New York
NSA Number:
NSA-17-021945
OSTI ID:
4727451
Journal Information:
Industrial Hygiene Review (U.S.), Journal Name: Industrial Hygiene Review (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 5; ISSN IHYRB
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English