1. Nuclear Chemistry Radiation in Your Life Background Radiation
Uses for Radiation

2. A. Background Radiation
Ionizing Radiation
nuclear radiation can remove electrons from neutral atoms creating charged ions
can break bonds in DNA (this is BAD for you)
Background Radiation
naturally in environment
Sources: eyeglasses, Sun, concrete, potatoes, water, your neighbor,…….etc.
Video clip is “Everyday Radiation” from Teacher’s Domain (2 min)

3. A. Background Radiation
radon-222 gas

4. A. Background Radiation
radon-222 gas

5. A. Background Radiation
radon-222 gas
Video clip is “Radon Radiation” from Teacher’s Domain (2 min)

6. Typical Radiation Doses (in mrem)
Approximate lethal dose (LD50) if no treatment, entire body in a short period ,000
Causes radiation sickness (when absorbed in a short period)
no effect (0-25,000) slight blood changes (25, ,000)
platelets & WBCs (100, ,000) nausea, hair loss, damage (200, ,000)
When delivered in a single dose, increases the risk of developing cancer by 1% 10,000
Average annual dose for all people in US (300 natural, 60 medical) 360
Dose from a single full-body CT (CAT) scan 4,500
chest abdomen…1200 pelvis…1000 head/neck…370 PET scan 2000
Medical/Dental x ray
Natural background, Denver, CO, USA (per year)(excluding radon) 180
Average airline passenger (10 flights/year) 3
Additional annual dose if you live in a brick rather than a wood house 7
U. S. population from fallout
U. S. population from nuclear power plants (per year)

7. B. Uses for Radiation I-131 Uses of Radiation: Medical
(cancer detection/treatment)
Food
(irradiation kills bacteria)
Industry
(materials tests)
Heat/Electrical Power
(for nuclear power plants)
I-131

8. Quick Quiz! Ionizing radiation can remove _______ from atoms. protons
neutrons
positrons
electrons. 8

9. Quick Quiz! Most of the radiation you receive naturally is from ____.
nuclear power plants
X-rays from the doctor/dentist
radon gas
your face 9

10. Quick Quiz!
Which of the following is a current productive use for radiation?
grow healthy living cells
purify water
food sterilization
make your little brother glow in the dark 10