Radioactive substances are among the strong energy sources. It has the characteristics of making self-glow. It is not possible to pass this radiation to a halt. Radioactivity is related to the nuclear structure of the atom. A radioactive atom makes the compound it enters into its structure radioactive. The spontaneous degradation and disintegration of an atom without any external effect is called radioactivity. The radioactivity event was first discovered in 1896. The compounds of radioactive elements also have the same radioactive properties. Thus, radioactivity is a state of change in the nucleus, which depends solely on the nucleus structure of the atom.
The main types of radiation are alpha rays, beta rays and gamma rays. Alpha rays can be absorbed by a thin layer of paper or human skin. Beta rays can be absorbed by a thin layer of metal. Gamma rays may be the case of penetration into thicker and thicker materials. For example, gamma rays can be absorbed by dense materials such as lead and concrete.
People's senses can't detect the presence of radiation. Detection and measurement of radiation is only possible with radiation sensitive devices. Moreover, the measuring devices can measure only the portion of the radiation that interacts with the substance, although not all.
Some sources of radiation are natural, some are artificial. Radiation is essentially an energy. Radiation can be obtained from the breathing air, edible food or building materials used in construction. Radiation is a part of the short lived environment.
Natural sources of radiation are cosmic rays from space, gamma rays emitted from short-lived radioisotopes in the earth, radioactive elements in the human body, and radon gas produced by the decay of radium.
The sources of artificial radiation are X-rays and artificial radioactive materials used in various fields, nuclear rainfalls during nuclear bomb trials, radioactive substances released in nuclear power generation, and radioactive materials used in some consumer products.
Radiation applications used in the medical field are concentrated at two points: in image acquisition systems and in the treatment of tumors. In other words, radiation is used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
The industrial use of radiation is quite high. Radiation is used in education and research studies, safety studies and consumer products. Radiation is used in areas such as radiography, radioscopy, density and humidity measurements, process control processes such as density, thickness, weight, level, lightning rod, smoke detector and production of different consumer products.
In the event of radiation exposure, there are serious hazards to human health and the environment. Radiation carries enough energy to break up DNA. The fragmentation of DNA means that the cells die. Irresponsible to the environment, radioactive substances are in great danger to the health of humans, animals and plants. Degradation of natural environment and ecological balance emerges.
Authorized test and inspection organizations also carry out the inspections of radioactive areas within the scope of environmental inspections. Measurement, testing and inspections carried out by the competent authorities are extremely important. The studies are based on standards and legal regulations published by domestic and foreign organizations.
