There are rules that say they should only be with the source of radiation for only the time needed, and no longer. They are also told that if they never point a radiation source towards the body there isn’t much that could go wrong with the internal organs.
Also when radiation sources are transported from a to b, they are done so in containers that even in a horrific accident would still survive. In 1984 a British rail test track with a train of 140 crashed into a flask (which would normally be carrying radioactive sources) on purpose at 100mph. After the train was in a very bad state but the container only received minimal damage.
Another precaution taken is that people who work with radiation wear a film badge. This allows you to see how much radiation the person is working with, and how much more he or she can work with in a certain time frame, such as a week, or a month. See fig.3
An example of some of these rules, we all know that x-ray nurses have to go behind a screen.
Signs are put up around radiation areas to allow and make sure people are aware of the danger they are or could be in. See fig. 4
People who consider that nuclear industry safe would follow along these lines of arguments. Many would feel that it would be unsafe for pregnant women to be around radiation when pregnant because the child may be affected in some way. Being exposed to too much radiation could deform or even kill a foetus. This is because beta and gamma radiations can easily go through the skin.
They feel also that if safety precautions are not followed through with serious damage could be done. If this person using the radioactive source were to point it towards his internal organs this could be great damage. This is because the extremities are 10 times more likely to be hurt than something such as a hand or a foot.
Many of the people who argue against the nuclear industry being safe would also say that gamma radiation is extremely dangerous. To see just how easily it can penetrate through things just see fig.2. I demonstrate that gamma radiation can go through materials that would be used for protection, like the protective clothing or screens.
Also in the industry it is argued that medically a patient can get too much radiation. This is either through x-rays or through cancer therapy. Many would see that destroying the cancer cells with radiation would be good, but feel at the same time that it can cross the line and make things worse. This could be by giving the patient too much without knowing.
Also people against, feel that not enough precautions are taken because the do not take into account background radiation. Background radiation is radiation that is always present around us. They feel that not enough precautions are done, to minimise the dose of ionising radiations received.
Many feel that it is not safe either because of deaths there have been in the industry is good, but they see this is going to rise in the future because more and more people are using radioactive sources. The first person to die in an accident in recent years was in Japan earlier this year.
Conclusion: in my study of whether to see if the nuclear industry is safe or not, I have decided to back those who feel that it is safe. This choice was because of the sheer amounts of regulations the workers have to follow, and providing they do follow them theoretically there should be no problems. I do feel however that the now as the industry is getting bigger and bigger, it seems there is a larger risk.
Figure 3- a film badge worn by people who work with radioactivity.
Figure 4- Signs that would be put up to increase they safety of people around radiation.
