Glove box
This is an enclosure with its own
air supply, exhaust system, and lighting which allows some industrial
operations on radioactive materials to be carried on directly, instead of with
remote-control devices. Bioassay: This is an analysis of breath and urine which
determines the amount of radioactivity absorbed by the body. Two or three
assays a year are recommended. Instrumentation: Human senses cannot detect
radioactivity but special instruments are available which can detect, measure,
and record different types of radiation.
Decontamination
If an accident occurs-if
radioactive substances are spilled or if an exhaust system breaks down-properly
trained safety personnel can deal with the situation quickly. Their job
includes getting rid of the contaminant at once; getting affected workers,
their clothing and equipment clean; and testing workers for physical reactions.
In addition to causing cancer or leukemia (malignancy of the bone marrow),
radiation can do other damage? It can have harmful effects on the skin,
including "burns," loss of hair and fingernails, darkening of the'
skin. It can affect organs producing blood, thus leading to anemia and
insufficient white cells to combat infection. It can lead to
hemorrhages-bleeding from gums, in stools, and under the skin-by affecting
certain substances that play a role in normal blood clotting.
It can produce sterility in both sexes. Such
effects do not usually become manifest until sometime after exposure. In some
cases-development of cancer, for example-they may not appear for years.
Therefore, very great precautions must be taken, since there is no warning of
danger by immediate symptoms such as pain.
