Radiation and chemical monitoring: general requirements, instrument of measurement and recommendations

The work of industrial enterprises is necessary for the development of the state and citizens. But if the safety requirements are not observed, there is a threat to life and health of people. It can be radiation or chemical damage. Such situations require immediate action - eliminating the infection.

Danger of radiation and chemical emissions

With nuclear explosions, accidents at nuclear power plants and other nuclear transformations, many radioactive particles are released. These are substances whose nuclei of atoms can independently decay and pass into the nuclei of atoms of other elements. As a result, ionizing radiation is formed.

Such phenomena infect the terrain, people, property. By nature, ionizing radiation is electromagnetic, and also in the form of a stream of rapidly moving particles. This destroys the cells of the body, which causes radiation sickness. When the state is started, a lethal outcome occurs. To conduct research on this issue, a radiation monitoring laboratory is used, only specialists have access to it.

Characteristics

Radiations have two main characteristics:

• Ionizing;
• Penetrating power.

In addition to ionizing radiation, poisonous particles that are released using chemical weapons, as well as potent poisonous substances, are dangerous for people and nature. Similar phenomena occur when accidents occur in production.

Man's defeat occurs when poisonous particles enter the body, for example, in contact with contaminated soil or objects, the use of dangerous food, water, inhalation of air. To protect the population from such phenomena, radiation and chemical control are carried out. This allows you to avoid danger, as well as to protect people from adverse consequences.

General requirements

Radiation and chemical monitoring should be carried out:

• At enterprises and establishments of Rosatom State Corporation;
• In organizations subordinate to Rosatom;
• In institutions of medical and biological spheres;
• In the organizations creating the means of dosimetric control.

The generally accepted methodological instructions are fixed in SanPiNs and GOST, which prescribe the rules of action for chemical and radiation contamination.

Devices of radiation investigation

What radiation monitoring devices are used? For this, dosimetry equipment is used, which performs the functions of measuring the level of radiation, the degree of infection, and the detection of radiation doses. And the device is used both for people, and for products, water, transport and other items. Radiation control is also performed if there is a risk of infection.

By appointment, the equipment is divided according to the application:

• For radiation reconnaissance: radioactivity indicators and roentgenometers;
• To control the level of infection: radiometers;
• For radiation control: dosimeters.

Each device is necessary to protect the population and the terrain from danger. Such activities as radiation reconnaissance and monitoring, allow to maintain a normal standard of living of the population.

Kinds of radiation

Alpha radiation is represented as a stream of helium atoms, the penetrating function of which is at a low level. These particles are delayed by ordinary clothing, personal protective equipment. Substances become dangerous with penetration into the body, which leads to internal irradiation.

Beta radiation is a flux of fast electrons that appear during the decay of radioactive particles. Though its ionizing ability is small, but the penetrating function is high. Not always clothing protects against such radiation, and therefore a better shelter is required.

Gamma radiation has an intranuclear origin. It spreads at the speed of light. The radiation has a high penetrating power, so it can flow even through thick materials. Since particles ionize cells of living organisms, they are dangerous to humans. As a protection, shelters, anti-radiation shelters, cellars and cellars are used.

Methods for detecting emissions

To determine emissions, the following methods are used:

• Photographic involves measuring the level of blackening of the photoemulsion under radioactive radiation;
• Chemical is based on the establishment of changes in the shade of chemical particles under the influence of radiation;
• Scintillation involves the detection of the formation of photons;
• Ionization is based on the fact that ionization of gases is observed upon emission.

Radiation monitoring can detect the level of infection, as well as prevent the occurrence of adverse consequences for people, animals and nature.

Devices for chemical reconnaissance

Determination of the level of contamination with toxic particles of air, terrain, transport, clothing, water takes place with the help of chemical reconnaissance devices. A method of sampling is also possible, which are transferred to the laboratory for analysis.

The device interacts with poisonous substances, and the level of infection is determined by changing the color of the indicators. Based on the information shown by such devices, the concentration of harmful particles in the air is established. The equipment includes:

• Military chemical reconnaissance device;
• Chemical reconnaissance device;
• Semi-automatic chemical reconnaissance device;
• Automatic gas alarm.

All types of equipment have a similar operating principle. Each of them allows you to determine the degree of infection.

Recommendations

There are rules that allow you to competently act in dangerous situations:

• When an alarm is detected, an alarm is triggered;
• The means of protection are included in the combat readiness;
• When contaminating the area, responsible persons are appointed;
• If necessary, the evacuation of the population is organized;
• Return of people is possible only to a safe area.

Thanks to observation, many dangerous phenomena can be prevented. The atmosphere is constantly monitored by meteorological services, which will be able to warn in time about the impending adverse event. Therefore, radiation control is very important, which makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of danger for people.