UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST
COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND
ALLIED SCIENCES
SCHOOL OF NURSING AND
MIDWIFERY
DEPARTMENT OF ADULT
HEALTH
BSc. NURSING PROGRAMME.
GROUP FOUR
(NURSING)
Presenting On
RADIATION
COURSE: PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING
TUTOR: Dr. Mrs. Christiana
DATE: 8TH MARCH, 2025.
OUTLINE
• INTRODUCTION꞉ DIFINITION, TYPES, SOURCES.
• BENEFITS OF RADIATION
• PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES
• CASE STUDY
• PREVENTION AND CONTROL MEASURES
• POLICIES
• BARRIERS
• RECOMEDATION
• CONCLUSION
• REFRENCES
INTRODUCTION
• RADIATION is energy that travels in the form of waves or particles
and is part of our everyday environment. People are exposed to
natural radiation such as from cosmic rays, as well as to radioactive
materials found in the soil, water, food, air and also inside the body.
• Human-made radiation sources are widely used in medicine, industry,
and research.
• There are two types of radiation: ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.
TYPES OF RADIATION
• The classification of radiation types is primarily based on their
ability to ionize atoms and molecules, which is a critical factor
in determining their biological effects and applications in
medicine and industry
• 1.Ionizing Radiation: This type of radiation has enough energy
(High-energy) to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms,
creating ions. It includes alpha particles, beta particles, gamma
rays, and X-rays, and can cause cellular damage, leading to
biological effects such as radiation sickness, cancer, and genetic
mutations.
TYPES OF RADIATION Cont.
• 2. Non-ionizing radiation refers to electromagnetic radiation with
insufficient energy to displace electrons from atoms, thus not causing
ionization. It includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, and visible
light. While generally considered safe, excessive exposure can lead to
thermal effects or tissue damage, such as burns from intense infrared
or microwave sources.
SOURCES OF RADIATION
There are 2 major sources of radiation namely; Natural and Artificial sources
1. Natural Sources:
Cosmic Radiation: Comes from outer space and interacts with Earth’s atmosphere.
Terrestrial Radiation: Found in the soil, rocks, and water due to naturally occurring radioactive
materials like uranium and thorium.
Radon Gas: A radioactive gas that emanates from the ground and can accumulate indoors.
2. Man-Made or Artificial Sources:
Medical Procedures: X-rays, CT scans, and radiation therapy for medical diagnosis and treatment.
Nuclear Power Plants: Radiation emitted during electricity generation and from waste products.
Industrial Uses: Applications like non-destructive testing, sterilization of products, and radiography.
Nuclear Weapons and Testing: Radiation from detonation and testing activities.
Consumer Products: Some everyday items, like smoke detectors or luminous watches, contain small
amounts of radioactive materials.
BENEFITS OF RADIATION
• Medical imaging and diagnostics (e.g., X-rays,
CT scans).
• Cancer treatment through radiotherapy.
• Sterilization of medical equipment.
• Food preservation by eliminating harmful
bacteria.
• Industrial applications like material testing and
quality control.
• Production of electricity by nuclear power
plants
PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE
• A major public health concern regarding radiation is the potential for increased
cancer risk due to exposure to ionizing radiation, which can damage DNA and lead
to mutations that may develop into cancerous cells, particularly from sources like
medical imaging, nuclear power plants, and exposure to radioactive materials in the
environment; this risk is heightened with high doses of radiation or prolonged
exposure.
• Cancer risk: The most significant health concern associated with radiation is the
increased risk of developing various cancers, including leukemia, thyroid cancer,
breast cancer, and lung cancer, depending on the type and dose of radiation
received.
• Apart from cancer risk, radiation exposure can cause a variety of health risks,
including skin burns, Cutaneous radiation injury (CRI), Acute radiation syndrome
(ARS), infertility and birth defects.
Case Study: The Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster
• Background: On April 26, 1986, Reactor No. 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power
Plant in Ukraine exploded during a late-night safety test. This catastrophic event
is considered the worst nuclear disaster in history.
• Cause: The disaster was triggered by a combination of flawed reactor design
and operator errors. During the safety test, technicians disabled critical safety
systems and conducted the test under unstable conditions. This led to an
uncontrollable chain reaction, causing a massive explosion and fire
• Effects: Death of 2 workers at the spot, 29 more deaths from acute radiation
sickness, evacuated 115,000 people, and released large amounts of radioactive
materials into the atmosphere.
• thousands of thyroid cancer cases, extensive environmental contamination, and
billions of dollars in cleanup costs, with the region remaining largely
uninhabitable.
• Lessons Learned: Use of robust safety protocols and training of operators,
international cooperation on nuclear safety, and the importance of transparency
Some Victims of the Chernobyl
Disaster
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
MEASURES
Radiation exposure poses significant health risks, but effective prevention and
control measures can minimize these risks.,
1. Regulation and Monitoring
• Establish Exposure Limits:
• Regular Monitoring: monitor radiation levels of environments medical
facilities by the use of dosimeters to measure personal radiation exposure.
2. Public Education and Awareness
• Raise Awareness: Educate the public about radiation risks.
• Promote Safe Practices: Encourage safe use of electronic devices
3. Protective Equipment and Shielding
• Use of Shielding Materials: Such as Lead aprons and thyroid shields are used
during X-rays for protection.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): PPE such as gloves, goggles, and
PREVENTION AND CONTROL MEASURES Cont.
4. Optimization of Medical Practices:
• Justification and Optimization: Justified (benefits outweigh risks) and optimized
(lowest effective dose).
• Training for Healthcare Professionals: To avoid repeated scans
5. Environmental Safety Measures
• Radon Mitigation: Test for radon and mitigation systems (e.g., ventilation, sealing
cracks).
• Safe Disposal and storage of radioactive wastes:
6. Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Develop Emergency Plans: Establish evacuation routes and shelters in areas near
nuclear facilities.
• Conduct Drills and Training: Train emergency responders
• Stockpile Medical Supplies: Maintain supplies of potassium iodide tablets and
other treatments for radiation exposure.
POLICIES
Policies on radiation therapy ensure the safe and effective use of
radiation especially medical treatments;
• They focus on patient safety by minimizing unnecessary exposure and
preventing errors in dosage or targeting.
• Equipment used for radiation therapy must undergo regular
maintenance and calibration to maintain accuracy.
• Healthcare professionals are required to have specialized training and
certification to safely administer radiation therapy.
• Ethical practices like informed consent and continuous quality
assurance are emphasized to uphold high standards of care.
BARRIERS
Radiation medicine and its applications come with several barriers that can limit
its access and effectiveness, some of these barriers include,
• 1. Lack of Infrastructure - Developing countries often lack the necessary
facilities like radiation therapy centers or diagnostic tools (e.g., CT and MRI
machines).
• 2. Financial Constraints - Radiation equipment and its maintenance are
costly.
• 3. Limited Workforce like global shortage of trained professionals
• 4. Strict regulations and Safety Challenges
• 5. Lack of public Awareness and Misconceptions
• 6. Geographical Barriers - Rural and remote areas
• 7. Political and Policy Limitations - Inadequate health policies, lack of
governmental support
RECOMMENDATIONS
• To minimize radiation exposure, follow the ALARA principle: keep
exposure “As Low As Reasonably Achievable”
• Use time, distance, and shielding strategies to protect yourself from
radiation sources
• Always avoid unnecessary exposure, especially when there is no
medical benefit.
CONCLUSION
• Radiation has vital medical benefits but carries risks.
Balancing protection and exposure is crucial for health and
safety. Adhering to guidelines and precautions, especially in
medical and industrial settings, helps minimize harm and
maximize the benefits of radiation use.
References:
• 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Radiation
Safety.
• 2. International Atomic Energy Agency. (n.d.). Radiation Protection
and Safety of Radiation Sources.
• 3. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Ionizing Radiation, Health
Effects and Protective Measures.
• 4. National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Radiation and Cancer.
• 5. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic
Radiation. (n.d.). Sources, Effects and Risks of Ionizing Radiation.
THANK YOU
QUESTIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS ARE WELCOME
Group Members
1. Francis Amoah
2. Mercy Dzreh
3. Dede Prince
4. Halifax Sarfo Agyeman
5. Millicent Otchere-Marfo
6. Benefo Daniel
7. Ruth Aikins
8. Nora Otubea
9. Cecilia Abrafi
10. Diana Adu Birago
11. Bernice Birago Yeboah
12. Portia Okyere
