Radioactive Commodities

Certain radioactive commodities are used for beneficial purposes. As a matter of fact, radioactive substances are harmful to our body and our future generations. But one can get the maximum benefit from such goods with the minimum risk. A radioluminous, RL, paint is the selfluminous compound used for painting in defence, telephone, industries and traffic signs. This is different in the composition from the ordinary paints available in the market. It contains radioactive materials such as Tritium, 3H, Promethium, 147Pm and Carbon, 14C, etc. emitting beta particles of various energies.

The familiar gas mantle contains Thorium for its luminous property. Thorium is a radioactive substance that emits radiations in the form of alpha and beta particles and gamma rays.

The use of radionuclides containing goods like gas mantles and RL paints can be harmful if handled carelessly. The radioactive presence in such items is very low, but they are still radioactive. When incident on the body, the radiations dissipate their energy within the body tissue. This may lead to some specific types of damages to the tissues, the effect of which will be noticed either in days/weeks, known as the immediate effect, or after several years, known as the late effect. The exposure to such items under normal conditions is not high so as to cause the immediate effect. The low level exposures that occur are also not that high to increase the chance of incurring the late effect. But, if a person continues to receive radiations for a very long period at low level, damages caused to the body tissues may accumulate and later in life lead to some effect. The effect could be confined to the exposed individual, somatic effects specially cancer or may manifest in the subsequent generations, genetic/ hereditary effects. The probability of the late effect depends on the dose received. So in order to reduce the probability of such biological effects, it is necessary to keep the individual exposures as low as possible.

As far as the risk is concerned, hazards due to the external exposure from such goods is low compared with that of the internal exposure. The internal exposure is caused by the decomposition of radioactive substances inside the body. In this case, alpha particles are the most hazardous, then come the betas and the gammas respectively.

The internal decomposition of radioactive materials can take place through:-

1. Inhalation of radionuclides: While handling of the radioactive materials especially in the powder or liquid form, it is possible that during certain processes the material will become airborne to be inhaled by the personnel. Thorium decays into Thron, which is a radioctive gas that may escape into the environment. Breathing air contaminated with such radioactive materials leads to the internal decomposition of the radioactive materials.
2. Ingestion of radionuclides: While handling the radioactive materials especially in the liquid or powder form spillage may occur, contaminating parts of our body and clothing etc. Eating and drinking with the contaminated hands or from the contaminated objects may lead to the internal deposition of the radioactive materials. It can also be absorbed through open wounds.

The internal exposure can be controlled by preventing the radioactive materials from entering our body. The simplest precaution is to follow the ordinary hygenic procedures and avoid the spread of contamination. Used gas mantles, left RL paints etc. must be disposed to a proper place. If possible hand gloves should be used while handling such items to prevent the contamination of hands and the absorbtion through skin.

Even though, these items are little risky, we need not be afraid of them. Use properly, get benefits and enjoy. But, always keep in mind that prevention is better than cure.