Health hazards and protective measures operating procedure for the 305 Area.

摘要

It is well known that short exposures to radiations from radioactive substances may produce beneficial effects to the human body. The use of radium in the treatment of cancer is an example of this. The beneficial effects arise from the fact that cancerous tissue is killed by the exposure, while the healthy tissue is not affected appreciably. Exposure for longer periods of time, however, will produce very harmful effects to the healthy tissues also. The very usefulness of radium in the treatment of cancer arises from the fact that is destroys tissue. The only reason it can be used for this purpose is because it destroys parasitic tissue much more rapidly than healthy tissue. In guarding against over exposure to radiation from radioactive substances, three things are important (1) type of radiation, (2) intensity of radiation and (3) length of exposure. Each of these aspects is discussed briefly to make possible the exercise of some degree of individual judgment in regard to safe and unsafe practices for the 305 area.