Radiation Safety

Radiation Safety

• Everyone receives some ionising radiation

exposure from:
– medical X-rays
– natural radio-activity
– gamma rays from space
– atomic bomb tests
 Radiation Safety

• X-rays are one form of ionising radiation.

• Exposure to ionising radiation can cause
cancer.
• Hence must ensure that exposure to X-rays is
kept within safe limits.
• Allowed exposure to X-rays is controlled by
Government legislation.
 Radiation Safety

• XRF uses X-rays that of relatively low energy

(40-60KV) but are of high intensity.
• Exposure to the primary X-ray beam will cause
deep radiation burns within seconds.
• Exposure to the secondary (fluorescent) X-
ray beam is less hazardous but exposure limits
could be exceeded within a short exposure
time.
 Radiation Safety
• Most laboratory XRF spectrometers use X-
ray tubes as the X-ray source.
• Some “bench top” and portable XRF
spectrometers use radio isotopes as the X-
ray source.
– X-ray tubes cease producing X-rays when the
tube is switched off.
– Isotope sources can not be switched off.
• A shutter is used to control the beam (open/closed).
• Even when the shutter is closed X-rays are still being
produced by the isotope source.
• Concern when instrument is to be decommissioned.
 Radiation Safety

• Some Laboratories have other nuclear

analysis instruments (eg neutron
activation analysis).
– these may contain g-ray or neutron sources
(eg Cf252)
– X-rays and g-rays do not impart any radiation
to a sample.
– neutrons can cause the sample to become
radioactive.
 Radiation Safety

• All XRF spectrometers are constructed so that no

harmful levels of X-radiation escape from the
spectrometer.
• The XRF is fully interlocked.
– For example, if a panel is removed then the X-ray generator
will immediately switch off.
• X-rays are only produced when the X-ray tube is
switched on.
– No radiation is transferred to the sample. The sample does
not become radioactive after exposure to the X-ray beam.
• HANDHELDS require special handling, as it’s an open
source rather than a closed source
 Radiation Safety

• Never by pass interlocks.

• Always ensure that the X-ray generator is
switched off before carrying out any
maintenance work on the XRF.
• Some specialised maintenance work may
require the X-rays to be on (generally only for
older XRF’s). Such work must only be carried
out by properly trained and qualified persons.
 Radiation Safety

• A radiation leakage check must be carried out

at regular intervals and after any major work
has been carried out on the XRF.
• Such checks are best carried out using a
portable radiation monitor.
• Records of radiation checks should be kept.