100% satisfaction guarantee Immediately available after payment Both online and in PDF No strings attached
logo-home
Unit 21C: Health and Safety in the Medical use of Ionising and Non-Ionising Radiation Technologies - BTEC Applied Science £5.49
Add to cart

Essay

Unit 21C: Health and Safety in the Medical use of Ionising and Non-Ionising Radiation Technologies - BTEC Applied Science

 0 purchase

Unit 21C: Health and Safety in the Medical use of Ionising and Non-Ionising Radiation Technologies - BTEC Applied Science Distinction achieved :)

Preview 4 out of 32  pages

  • January 24, 2025
  • 32
  • 2022/2023
  • Essay
  • Unknown
  • A
All documents for this subject (1)
avatar-seller
brandyn
Unit 21C: Health and Safety in the medical use of ionising and non-ionising radiation technologies



Introduction:

‌ adiation is an important part of our life in the current day and age, used extensively in medical
R
applications for the diagnosis and treatment of various physiological conditions. Ionising and non-
ionising radiation are two very important types of radiation. In this presentation, we will go over and
compare different ionising and non-ionising radiation techniques that are used in the medical field,
including how each type of radiation is produced, the principles behind the use of each technique,
and the benefits and limitations of each method.

Radiation technologies, both ionising and non-ionising, play a crucial role in modern medicine, but
they are not without risks. The health and safety concerns associated with these technologies must
be carefully considered and managed to ensure their safe and effective use. The COVID-19 pandemic
has introduced new risks and limitations, which have further highlighted the need for effective
health and safety measures in the use of radiation technologies in medical applications.
Nevertheless, with proper management and oversight, these technologies will continue to provide
essential diagnostic and therapeutic benefits to patients in need.

This text also provides an overview of ionizing radiation and its effects on living beings. Ionizing
radiation is present in both natural and artificial sources and can cause external or internal
irradiation. The principles of radiation protection include justification, optimization, and limitation,
which aim to balance the benefits and risks of radiation exposure while minimizing harm. The text
also outlines the four significant stages of the effect of ionizing radiation on living tissue, starting
with the physical stage and ending with the biological stage. Overall, this text aims to provide
readers with a better understanding of ionizing radiation and the importance of radiation protection.




The electromagnetic spectrum is a range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. It
encompasses all forms of electromagnetic waves, from radio waves with the lowest frequency to

,gamma rays with the highest frequency. Electromagnetic waves are characterized by their
wavelength, frequency, and energy.

At one end of the electromagnetic spectrum are radio waves, which have the lowest frequency and
longest wavelength. These waves are commonly used in communication technologies, such as radio
and television broadcasting. They also play a crucial role in satellite communication and navigation
systems.

Moving up the spectrum, we come to microwaves, which have a higher frequency and shorter
wavelength than radio waves. They are used for communication, as well as for heating and cooking
food in microwave ovens.

Next on the spectrum are infrared waves, which have a higher frequency and shorter wavelength
than microwaves. These waves are commonly used in thermal imaging, remote controls, and in
heating processes. They also play an important role in the study of the universe, as they allow
astronomers to observe celestial objects that emit infrared radiation.

Visible light is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that we can see with our eyes. It has a
higher frequency and shorter wavelength than infrared radiation. Different colours of light have
different wavelengths and frequencies, which give them their characteristic colours. Red light has
the longest wavelength and lowest frequency, while violet light has the shortest wavelength and
highest frequency.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has a higher frequency and shorter wavelength than visible light. It is
known to cause skin damage and can be harmful to living organisms. However, it is also used for
sterilization and in fluorescent lighting.

Non-ionizing radiation includes the spectrum of ultraviolet (UV), visible light, infrared (IR),
microwave (MW), radio frequency (RF), and extremely low frequency (ELF).

At the high end of the spectrum are X-rays and gamma rays, which have the highest frequency and
shortest wavelength. They are commonly used in medical imaging, such as X-rays and CT scans, and
in radiation therapy to treat cancer.




Ionising and non-ionising radiation

Ionizing radiation technologies are used for diagnosis and treatment of the human body due to their
ability to penetrate tissues and produce images of internal structures, as well as their ability to
damage or destroy cancerous cells.

In terms of diagnosis, ionizing radiation is used in various medical imaging techniques such as X-rays,
CT scans, and nuclear medicine imaging. These technologies use ionizing radiation to produce
images of the internal structures of the body, helping doctors diagnose and treat various medical
conditions. For example, X-rays can detect broken bones, while CT scans can detect abnormalities in
the brain or other organs.

In terms of treatment, ionizing radiation can be used to target and destroy cancerous cells. This is
done through a process known as radiation therapy, which involves directing high-energy beams of
ionizing radiation at tumours. The radiation damages the DNA of the cancerous cells, ultimately

,causing them to die. Radiation therapy can be used as a standalone treatment for cancer or in
combination with other treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy.

Despite its benefits, the use of ionizing radiation in medical applications must be carefully managed
to minimize the risks associated with exposure. This is done through the use of safety measures such
as shielding, time limits, and distance from the radiation source, as well as using the lowest possible
doses of radiation necessary to achieve the desired diagnostic or therapeutic outcomes.

The principles and production of ionising radiation technologies are used in a variety of medical
applications, including diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The use of ionising radiation in medical
imaging is based on the principles of attenuation and absorption. Attenuation is the reduction of
radiation intensity as it passes through matter, while absorption is the total loss of radiation as it
interacts with matter.

In diagnostic applications, such as X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scans, ionising radiation is
used to create images of the internal structures of the body. The X-ray machine produces a beam of
ionising radiation that is directed towards the patient's body. The radiation passes through the body,
and the amount of radiation that is absorbed by different tissues and organs is detected by a sensor
on the other side of the patient's body. The sensor then sends the information to a computer, which
generates an image based on the amount of radiation absorbed by the different tissues.

In radiation therapy, ionising radiation is used to treat cancer by killing cancer cells. The radiation is
produced by a machine called a linear accelerator (linac), which delivers a high-energy beam of
ionising radiation directly to the cancerous cells. The principle behind this treatment is that the
ionising radiation damages the DNA of the cancer cells, preventing them from multiplying and
spreading.

The production of ionising radiation in medical applications is typically done using a variety of
methods, including X-ray tubes, linear accelerators, and radioactive isotopes. X-ray tubes produce
ionising radiation by accelerating electrons towards a target material, usually a metal such as
tungsten. Linear accelerators produce high-energy radiation by accelerating charged particles, such
as electrons or protons, to very high speeds. Radioactive isotopes produce ionising radiation through
the natural process of radioactive decay.

The health and safety issues associated with ionizing radiation technologies in medical applications
are addressed through a combination of legislative measures, such as the Ionising Radiations
Regulations 2017, and practical measures, such as personal protective equipment, radiation
shielding, and dose monitoring. However, the use of ionizing radiation technologies in medical
applications remains a balancing act between the benefits of diagnostic accuracy and the potential
harm to patients and medical staff.

In summary, the principles and production of ionising radiation technologies are used in a range of
medical applications, from diagnostic imaging to cancer treatment. The use of ionising radiation in
medical applications is based on the principles of attenuation and absorption, and it’s produced
using X-ray tubes, linear accelerators, and radioactive isotopes.

Non-ionising radiation technologies, unlike ionising radiation, don’t have enough energy to remove
electrons from atoms or molecules, and therefore, don’t produce ionisation in the human body. This
makes non-ionising radiation safer for medical applications, particularly for diagnostic procedures
where repeated exposures may be required.

, One of the most commonly used non-ionising radiation technologies in medicine is magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI). MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed
images of internal body structures, which can help to diagnose and monitor various medical
conditions such as cancer, brain and spinal cord injuries, and cardiovascular disease.

Another non-ionising radiation technology used in medicine is ultrasound. Ultrasound uses high-
frequency sound waves to create images of internal organs and tissues, allowing doctors to examine
them for abnormalities or diseases. It’s particularly useful in obstetrics for monitoring fetal
development, and in cardiology for examining the heart's structure and function.

The health and safety issues associated with non-ionizing radiation technologies in medical
applications are addressed through a combination of legislative measures, such as the Control of
Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016, and practical measures, such as personal
protective equipment, exposure limits, and dose monitoring. However, the use of non-ionizing
radiation technologies in medical applications remains a balancing act between the benefits of
diagnostic accuracy and the potential harm to patients and medical staff.

In addition to diagnosis, non-ionising radiation technologies can also be used in treatment. For
example, laser therapy uses non-ionising radiation to treat a variety of medical conditions, including
skin disorders, eye diseases, and cancer. Additionally, some non-ionising radiation technologies, such
as photodynamic therapy, can selectively target and destroy cancer cells while leaving healthy cells
unharmed.

Non-ionising radiation technologies are useful in medical applications due to their safety, versatility,
and ability to produce detailed images or targeted treatments without the harmful effects of ionising
radiation.

In conclusion, the choice of non-ionising and ionising radiation techniques in medical applications is
justified by their ability to provide valuable diagnostic and treatment information that may not be
available through other means. For example, ionising radiation techniques such as X-rays and CT
scans are often used for the diagnosis of fractures, tumours, and other medical conditions. These
techniques are valuable because they can produce detailed images of the internal structures of the
body, allowing for accurate diagnoses and effective treatment planning.

Similarly, non-ionising radiation techniques like MRI and ultrasound are used for the diagnosis of soft
tissue injuries and other conditions that can’t be easily detected through X-ray or CT imaging. These
techniques use harmless electromagnetic waves and sound waves, respectively, to produce high-
resolution images of the body's internal structures without the risk of ionising radiation exposure.

The choice of radiation technique used in medical applications is dependent on the specific medical
condition being diagnosed or treated and the individual patient's needs. The decision is often made
by a team of medical professionals, including radiologists, oncologists, and other specialists, based
on the risks and benefits associated with each technique. The use of ionizing and non-ionizing
radiation techniques in medicine is continuously evolving and improving, allowing for more accurate
diagnosis and targeted therapies with fewer risks to the patient.

While radiation technologies have been widely used in medical applications for many years, the
COVID-19 pandemic has introduced new implications for their use. For instance, the pandemic has
highlighted the need for improved safety measures and protocols to protect healthcare workers and
patients from the risks of exposure to ionizing radiation. Moreover, the pandemic has increased the

The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:

Guaranteed quality through customer reviews

Guaranteed quality through customer reviews

Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.

Quick and easy check-out

Quick and easy check-out

You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.

Focus on what matters

Focus on what matters

Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!

Frequently asked questions

What do I get when I buy this document?

You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.

Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?

Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.

Who am I buying these notes from?

Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller brandyn. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.

Will I be stuck with a subscription?

No, you only buy these notes for £5.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.

Can Stuvia be trusted?

4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)

69411 documents were sold in the last 30 days

Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 15 years now

Start selling
£5.49
  • (0)
Add to cart
Added