31402 - Radioprotection

Learning outcomes

Radiation engineering as applied in industry and medecine; radiation measurement; radiation protection legislation.

Course contents

I. RADIOACTIVITY - nuclei; induced nuclear reaction: reaction kinmatics; reaction Q, endo- ed esothermal reactions, thresholds; cross sections; spontaneous nuclear reaction: radioactivity; types of radiations and their origini; radioactive decay: types of decays and radiation emitted; activity; the laws of radioactive decay, statistical fluctuations; naturally occurring radioactive families; II. RADIATION INTERACTION WITH MATTER - interaction of charged particles with matter, main assumptions; loss of energy, Stopping Power, Range, Straggling; peculiarity of beta radiation, Bremsstrahlung, critical energy, multiple scattering, backscattering; interaction of photons with matter, photoelectric effect, Compton effect, pair production, Raleigh scattering; attenuation of photon beams; interaction of neutrons with matter, slowing down, moderation, diffusion.  III. FUNDUMENTALS OF DOSIMETRY - External dosimetry: devices for measurement of radiation fields; main quantities in external dosimetry; devices for the evaluation of external doses; monitoring external doses; intro to internal dosimetry: internal contamination from radioactive substances; kynetics and compartment analysis; main quantities in internal dosimetry; MIRD methods for the evaluation of the dose commitment.  IV. LEGISLATION ON RADIATION PROTECTION - The D.Lgs. 230/95, as amended; administrative regulations and good practice; criminal responsabilities. Physical observables of interest: legal definition units. Main prescriptions for possessing, using, transporting, etc. sources of radiation. Dose limits for the general public and for all categories of exposed personnel.  V. RADIATION PROTECTION PRACTICE - monitoring; practical usage of dose coefficients for inhalation and ingestion; evaluation of internal and external doses. Practical design of shielding for gamma rays. legal obligations and practical compliance. VI. X-ray devices: basic principles and typical applications. Design of a radiology room from the point of view of radiation protection.

Readings/Bibliography

- INSTRUCTOR'S NOTES;

- M. PELLICCIONI: FONDAMENTI FISICI DELLA RADIOPROTEZIONE ED. PITAGORA BOLOGNA 1998;

- H. CEMBER & H. CEMBER: INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH PHYSICS, 3RD EDITION, ED. MCGRAW-HILL PROFESSIONAL 1996.

- D.Lgs. 230/95 s.m.i.

Teaching methods

Lectures; practical excercises.

Assessment methods

Written midterms. Oral final. The student will be required to show good understanding of the basic principles and prove capable to apply them to simple practical problems.

Teaching tools

Transparencies, projector, lecturers

Links to further information

http://www.unibo.it/SitoWebDocente/default.aspx?UPN=domiziano.mostacci%40unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Domiziano Mostacci