Close
What is Ionising Radiation?
Ionising radiation has significant benefits but it can present a health hazard听if used improperly. It is strictly regulated and controlled by UCL.
On this page听
鈥媁hat is ionising radiation?
Ionising radiation occurs as either electromagnetic rays, such as X-rays and gamma rays听or particles, such as alpha and beta particles.听It occurs naturally听but can also be produced artificially, such as by an X-ray machine.
鈥婭onising radiation has significant benefits in academic research and industrial applications as听well as medical research and treatment. However, radiation can present a health hazard听if used improperly.听Because of these risks to health, the use of radioactive materials and听equipment capable of producing ionising radiation is strictly regulated.听鈥�
The law and ionising radiation
There is a raft听of UK legislation that applies to working with ionising radiations. Typically, the following three regulations apply to work at 911爆料网.听
- 鈥婭onising Radiations Regulations 2017:听IRR covers the use of all ionising radiations,听including radioactive material and equipment capable of producing ionising radiation 鈥撎齭uch as X-ray equipment.听The intention of these regulations is to protect persons听working with ionising radiation as well as others (including members of the public) that听may be affected by work with ionising radiation.听鈥�
- 鈥婨nvironmental Permitting Regulations 2016:听The main objectives of these regulations听are to establish and maintain control over the keeping, use and security of radioactive听materials as well as ensuring the accumulation and disposal of radioactive waste are听managed effectively to limit radiological impact on the general public and the听environment.听听鈥�
听UCL radioactive听permits鈥�
UCL has permits to purchase, store, use and dispose of radioactive material.听Any breaches of the conditions and limitations of these permits could have serious听repercussions for the organisation.听These permits are held by Safety Services and听departments are apportioned an allocation of the permit limits (in the form of an Allocation听Certificate) based on their requirements.听鈥�
- 鈥�Nuclear Safeguards (EU听Exit) Regulations 2019 and Nuclear Safeguards听(Notification) Regulations 2004:听These regulations cover the use, disposal and recording of Nuclear Materials (commonly听uranium, thorium and plutonium) and the reporting of research projects relating to the听nuclear fuel cycle.听鈥�
鈥婳ther regulations may also apply in certain circumstances, for example, the applies听to the transport of radioactive material and theapplies听to medical ionising radiation听exposures.
Radiation project approval process
Departments must obtain approval听via the听Radiation Project Approval听Process听before starting any projects involving radiation. This includes the following:
- Using any area for work with radiation
- Storage of radioactive materials or waste
- Purchasing of听sealed sources
- Purchasing of听X-ray equipment
Last updated: Tuesday, April 5, 2022
