Radiation and Laser Safety in Medical Procedures

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Assignment
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Question 1
Part a
i) Alpha – changes in atomic mass occurs by 2
ii) Beta – occurs in the heavy nucleus as in stable nucleus does not lead to decay
iii) Beta decay process- the process takes place in the proton-rich nucleus
iv) Gamma decay process- yields emission of electromagnetic waves
Part b Beta decay process
Beta particles are often negatively charged electron which is emitted within the nucleus.
The electron mass is usually small, a tiny fraction of atomic mass. The nucleus mass often
undergoes decay process changed by small amounts; often the mass number is unchanged.
The nucleus does not have electrons but rather through beta decay process which occurs
after changes on the neutron into a proton in the nucleus. In a stable nucleus there is no
decay. A free neutron has an excess of neutrons, which can decay emitting beta particles.
Sharing the energy with the particle causes neutrino, which has little or no mass which does
not have any mass; it carries energy and momentum force. The source of energy in the
process is released into beta decay which is often explained by parent mass isotope which is
larger than the overall sum of masses in the decay process. The mass obtained is converted
into energy thus leaving no discrete quantity, (Eichholz, 2018).
Part c
Photon mass attenuation is essential in radiological activities. The photon can be displayed
in forms of X-rays, gamma-rays and beta rays. The attenuation mass is dependent on the
absorption and scattering of radiation caused by different mechanisms.
Photons interact with matter in varied ways depending on the available energy and material
nature. A photon with 1.5 MeV has high interaction due to more energy loaded with it
compared to Photon with MeV energy, (Elmahroug, Y., Tellili, B., & Souga, C. (2015).
Question 3
a. Medical ionizing radiation encompasses x-rays and nuclear can treatments such as
radiotherapy, which is often utilized in hospitals. Ionising and radiation regulations set the
holders with guidelines for radiation protection.
It guides the participants on minimizing unintended, and incorrect medical exposures,
ensures benefits which outweigh the risks associated on each exposure and keeping
diagnostics doses as low as possible for its optimization.
Regulation
- The ionizing Radiation regulations of 2017 and the Ionizing radiation regulation

amendment act of 2018.
Occupational radiation legal based are covered by the Ionising Radiation regulations of
2017 referred to IRR17. I replaced ionizations radiations IRR99 and implementing in work
safety places.
Employees under this act can work in ionizing radiations conditions through an approved
code of practice. The IRR17 Regulation applies to a large range of workplace where
radioactive substances emitting ionization used, (UK Government 2018).
b. Controlled area
Under the Ionising Radiation regulations of 2017 referred to IRR17, controlled area entails
rules and guidelines which guide through the restriction of exposure of ionizing radiation
should have minimum exposure to radiation. Further, any person working in the area should
receive an effective dose of greater than 6mSv or equivalent not more than 15 mSv for eye
lens or greater than 150mSv in a year for skin
Employers must designate areas which are controlled whereby
- It is necessary to keep the conditions under control
- Any individual likely to receive doses greater than 1 mSv or greater than 5 mSv from
the lens of greater than 50 mSv must be supervised, (UK Government 2018).
Part c
Optimization refers to the likelihood of increasing exposures, the number of people exposed
and the magnitude levels of those exposed, which should be kept as low as possible. This
thus refers to protection level which should be best be kept under the prevailing conditions,
which maximizing benefit over harm. In order to facilitate this, there should restrictions on
doses or risks of individuals.
Examples of optimization include;
- Optimizing x-ray beam which provides a balance between image quality and patient
exposure. The spectrum in the x-ray machine is defined by the filtration in the beam of
light. The kV values used and filtration is undertaken are optimized for specific types of
examinations.
- Usage of optimization during CT scan imaging is geared towards reducing the
exposures subjected to the patients.
- Optimization can be undertaken in dental radiology arena, (Ollila et al., 2018).
Part d
Reducing fluoroscopy radiation
1. Time of exposure