Radiation Safety - Revision history

RichardLefferts at 09:00, 26 August 2010

2010-08-26T09:00:23Z

RichardLefferts at 10:32, 25 August 2010

2010-08-25T10:32:50Z

RichardLefferts at 10:31, 25 August 2010

2010-08-25T10:31:51Z

New page

In Phy 445/515 students who choose to do experiments in the CASE Nuclear Structure Lab will be handling radioactive materials (RAM, such as sealed test sources and products of irradiation) and operating x-ray producing equipment. They will be doing so "under the tutelage" of professors, staff and teaching assistants who are Authorized Users under the license of the CASE NSL and Department of Physics and Astronomy. Therefore, it is not necessary that the Phy 445/515 students complete the course to become an Authorized User themselves.

However, it is always best to understand the risks and issues involved. For general information, here are some good sources:
* The Phy 445/515 course site on Blackboard has a primer on Radiation Safety
* The Stony Brook University department of Environmental Health and Safety has a [http://www.stonybrook.edu/ehs/radiation/ Radiation Protection Services] group.
* The Brookhaven National Lab (BNL) National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) [http://www.nsls.bnl.gov/training/Courses/Radiological/#GERT-Training Training Site] has links to the BNL rad worker study guides

=== CASE NSL Specific Info ===

Our concern is to keep your exposure to ionizing radiation AS Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). This is the policy of the University, of BNL, of CASE and of most institutions using RAM for research. This goes beyond estimating risk: even if we expect no significant risk to you the policy to make exposures ALARA means that weak sources are still stored behind shielding and people are excluded from areas with beam. Any ''reasonable'' step that can reduce exposure is worth the effort, as policy and as good lab practice.
* Radiation Producing Equipment
** Van de Graaff
The FN Tandem Van de Graaff accelerates heavy ion beams with a potential of several million Volts. There is the possibility that electrons may be accelerated within the beam pipe, which would create x-rays when stopped. X-ray monitors on the Tandem warn the user if this condition arises.
** Injector Ion Source
The ion source 'deck' or 'table' is held at a negative voltage of 100-200 kVolts. Electrons accelerated with the beam can create large (but very forward focused) sources of x-rays. X-ray monitors on the beam pipe warn the user if this condition arises
** Beam Path
After acceleration by the Tandem the heavy ion beam can induce reactions on apertures or other devices within the beampipe. One should avoid the 'object' or 'image' slits when beam is in use.
*Radioactive Materials (RAM)
** Test Sources
All of the test sources used in the CASE NSL are very weak and only useful for detector testing. Nontheless, one should handle them carefully and store them behind shielding when possible.
** Beam Stops! Includes Target
The beam stop, including the target, may be activated by the beam, that is, species may be created with half-lives long enough that they are still active when people enter the Target Room. One should limit exposure to the beam stops with Time, Distance and Shielding.
* Simple Rules:
** Don’t Enter Van de Graaff Vault if Ion Source is On (loud!)or if BEAM ON
** Don’t Enter Target Room if it is locked (… N.S.S.)
** Don’t handle RAM unless directed by Staff
** Four Principles: Time, Distance, Shielding

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:32, 25 August 2010
Line 26:		Line 26:
	** Don’t handle RAM unless directed by Staff		** Don’t handle RAM unless directed by Staff
	** Four Principles: Time, Distance, Shielding		** Four Principles: Time, Distance, Shielding
		+
		+	Return to [[Lab Manuals]]

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 However, it is always best to understand the risks and issues involved. For general information, here are some good sources:
-* The Phy 445/515 course site on Blackboard has a primer on Radiation Safety
+* The Phy 445/515 course site on [https://blackboard.stonybrook.edu/ Blackboard] has a primer on Radiation Safety in the Course Notes
 * The Stony Brook University department of Environmental Health and Safety has a [http://www.stonybrook.edu/ehs/radiation/ Radiation Protection Services] group.
 * The Brookhaven National Lab (BNL) National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) [http://www.nsls.bnl.gov/training/Courses/Radiological/#GERT-Training Training Site] has links to the BNL rad worker study guides
@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 Our concern is to keep your exposure to ionizing radiation AS Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA). This is the policy of the University, of BNL, of CASE and of most institutions using RAM for research. This goes beyond estimating risk: even if we expect no significant risk to you the policy to make exposures ALARA means that weak sources are still stored behind shielding and people are excluded from areas with beam. Any ''reasonable'' step that can reduce exposure is worth the effort, as policy and as good lab practice.
 * Radiation Producing Equipment
-** Van de Graaff
+;Van de Graaff
-The FN Tandem Van de Graaff accelerates heavy ion beams with a potential of several million Volts. There is the possibility that electrons may be accelerated within the beam pipe, which would create x-rays when stopped. X-ray monitors on the Tandem warn the user if this condition arises.
+:The FN Tandem Van de Graaff accelerates heavy ion beams with a potential of several million Volts. There is the possibility that electrons may be accelerated within the beam pipe, which would create x-rays when stopped. X-ray monitors on the Tandem warn the user if this condition arises.
-** Injector Ion Source
+;Injector Ion Source
-The ion source 'deck' or 'table' is held at a negative voltage of 100-200 kVolts. Electrons accelerated with the beam can create large (but very forward focused) sources of x-rays. X-ray monitors on the beam pipe warn the user if this condition arises
+:The ion source 'deck' or 'table' is held at a negative voltage of 100-200 kVolts. Electrons accelerated with the beam can create large (but very forward focused) sources of x-rays. X-ray monitors on the beam pipe warn the user if this condition arises
-** Beam Path
+; Beam Path
-After acceleration by the Tandem the heavy ion beam can induce reactions on apertures or other devices within the beampipe. One should avoid the 'object' or 'image' slits when beam is in use.
+:After acceleration by the Tandem the heavy ion beam can induce reactions on apertures or other devices within the beampipe. One should avoid the 'object' or 'image' slits when beam is in use.
 *Radioactive Materials (RAM)
-** Test Sources
+; Test Sources
-All of the test sources used in the CASE NSL are very weak and only useful for detector testing. Nontheless, one should handle them carefully and store them behind shielding when possible.
+:All of the test sources used in the CASE NSL are very weak and only useful for detector testing. Nontheless, one should handle them carefully and store them behind shielding when possible.
-** Beam Stops! Includes Target
+; Beam Stops! Includes Target
-The beam stop, including the target, may be activated by the beam, that is, species may be created with half-lives long enough that they are still active when people enter the Target Room. One should limit exposure to the beam stops with Time, Distance and Shielding.
+:The beam stop, including the target, may be activated by the beam, that is, species may be created with half-lives long enough that they are still active when people enter the Target Room. One should limit exposure to the beam stops with Time, Distance and Shielding.
 * Simple Rules:
 ** Don’t Enter Van de Graaff Vault if Ion Source is On (loud!)or if BEAM ON