evaulate the differences between a vet lab and a radioactive lab

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EDOMARUSE PATRICK   BTEC COURSEWORK     MR ADEBAYO    D4      02/04/2009        

Differences and similarities between veterinary and radioactive lab safety working practices

DIFFERENCES

  1. One of the major differences between a radioactive lab and a veterinary lab is the role and duties they perform. a veterinary lab performs certain functions such as:  , ,. Whereas the function of the radioactive lab includes: assessing the importance and adverse effects of different radioactive substances, radioactive decays e.t.c

  1. Radioactive labs use the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle in their day-to-day work with radioactive materials and radiation sources. It is when one strives to keep one’s radiation exposure as low as reasonably. This is due to the fact that radioactive substances are primarily present in a radioactive lab and hence very harmful to lab workers whilst in the veterinary lab there is absence or minimal presence of radioactive elements and substances. their primary concerns are  pathogenic organisms which are also harmful to humans and animal in the veterinary labs. Although there are ways of preventing transmission of pathogens to humans and animals in a vet lab, there is no principle applied to the prevention of pathogens.

  1. In a radioactive lab there is heavy use of signs and symbols preventing intrusions by unauthorized personnel when working with loose ray materials due to the nature of radioactive rays such as alpha, beta, and gamma rays which when penetrated could lead to medical issues such as cancer, brain tumor.

There is also a problem of build up of residual rays; this is when people are continually exposed to radioactive rays which when accumulated builds up causing serious health issues as mentioned. In the case of a veterinary lab they also make use of caution signs and symbols although not as heavy as that in a radioactive laboratory. This is to prevent the intrusion of unauthorized personnel and inflow of pathogens into the laboratory. The inflow of organisms and viruses could affect humans causing viral infections and could also affect animals that in turn mate and transfer the virus to opposite sexes.

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  1. Radioactive labs allocate the use of radioactive material to a special room called the process area. This is to restrict the allowance of loose radioactive materials to as few locations within the lab as possible. This area is identified by defining the edge with caution tape or other obvious indication. The process area is used because it has coated absorbent paper on the lab bench to insulate the surface from contamination and limit the spread of spills. Activities of the veterinary lab are widespread. Hence test and analysis on animals are carried out in ...

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