Explain how people working with radioactive materials nowadays are protected from the hazards of radioactive emissions.

There are
three main ways in which individuals who work around radiation protect themselves from
over-exposure. These three ways are typically referred to as time, distance, and shielding.
All these methods differ to greater or lesser degrees on the precise amount of radiation present
in the .

Radiation is a natural element in the Earths atmosphereemanating
from various substances like uraniumand is also emitted from the Sun (most of which radiation is
absorbed before entering the atmosphere by the planets ozone layer). Radiation produced through
man-made processes, however, exceed that which exists naturally and requires special protective
measures for people whose jobs expose them to abnormally high levels of radioactivity.

Various doses of radioactivity will damage human tissue after a certain amount of time
has passed. Limiting exposure through established periods of time during which individuals are
exposed to radioactivity is a common method of protection. Workers operating in environments in
which unsafe levels of radioactivity are present typically wear dosimeters, small devises that
track time and exposure. Once a certain threshold is reached, those workers must remove
themselves from the environment or risk unhealthy levels of exposure.

Similarly, employees may wear special outfits that are lined with lead or other metals
through which radiation cannot pass. Individuals are also protected from radiation through
construction of buildings or rooms designed to prevent the passage of different types of
radioactivity (e.g., gamma rays, alpha particles, or beta particles).

Most of
us have had x-rays taken of various parts of our bodies to identify broken bones or other
injuries or illnesses. We are provided lead-lined aprons to protect those parts of our bodies
where the imaging is not required, and medical technicians remain behind lead-lined walls while
the image is being taken. Simultaneously, the equipment used in modern medical facilities for
taking x-rays has improved over time to further limit exposure times on the part of
patients.

Time, distance, and shielding are three legs of a triangle by which
people who work around radiation are protected from unsafe levels of exposure. A failure in any
of the three legs of the triangle may result in hazardous doses being absorbed by
individuals.

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