GAMMA RADIATION

SO WHAT'S GAMMA?

• Third type of radiation classified by the EPA
• Shortest wavelegth
• Highly penetrative (aka dangerous)
• Pure electromagnetic energy (no charge)
• Released by nuclear reactions (photon bursts)

WHAT DO WE USE IT FOR?

• Cancer treatment
• Nuclear energy
• Welding and casting
• Deep space exploration

GAMMA EXPOSURE IN HUMANS

• Measured in REM (lethal dose 500 REM)
• Radiation sickness and burns
• Cellular damage and destruction
• Increased cancer risk
• Coma and death (high doses)

FAMOUS GAMMA INCIDENTS

• Fukushima Disaster
• Los Alamos Incident
• Three Mile Island
• Chernobyl Disaster
• Hiroshima and Nagasaki

REDUCING THE RISK

• Remote handling of radioactive equipment
• Regular reactor mantinacee
• Highly trained staff and personnel
• Containment and evacuation strategy
• Retirement of old reactors

PERSONAL CONNECTIONS

• Family history of cancer
• Mother lived near Chernobyl
• Relates to career path

QUESTIONS?