Radioactive substances are strong sources of energy. They have properties that make glow from themselves. It is not possible to stop this radiation. Radioactivity is related to the nuclear structure of the atom. A radioactive atom makes the compound it enters into its structure radioactive. The spontaneous decomposition and disintegration of an atom without any effect from outside, and its radiation during this separation is called radioactivity. The radioactivity event was first discovered in 1896. The compounds of radioactive elements also have the same radioactive properties. Therefore, radioactivity is a change in the nucleus that depends only on the nucleus structure of the atom.
The main types of radiation are alpha rays, beta rays and gamma rays. Alpha rays can be absorbed by a thin layer of paper or human skin. Beta streams can be absorbed by a thin layer of metal. Gamma rays can penetrate more solid and thick materials. For example, gamma rays can be absorbed by dense materials such as lead and concrete.
Humans' sense organs cannot detect the presence of radiation. Detection and measurement of radiation is only possible with radiation sensitive devices. Moreover, the measuring devices can measure only the part of the radiation that interacts with the substance, not the entire radiation. Some sources of radiation are natural and some are artificial. Radiation is mainly an energy. Radiation can be obtained from the breathing air, edible food or building materials used in construction. Radiation is a part of the environment in short. Natural radiation sources are cosmic rays coming from space, gamma rays emitted from short half-life radioisotopes in the earth, radioactive elements in the human body and radon gas produced by the decay of radium. Artificial radioactive substances, nuclear precipitation during nuclear bomb trials, radioactive substances emitted in nuclear power generation, radioactive substances used in some consumer products. Radiation applications used in the medical field are concentrated in two points: in image acquisition systems and in the treatment of tumors. In other words, radiation is used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
The industrial use of radiation is quite high. Radiation is used in education and research studies, safety studies and consumer products. Radiation is used in areas such as radiography, radioscopy, density and humidity measurements, process control processes such as density, thickness, weight, level, lightning rod, smoke detector and production of different consumer products.
Radiation exposure has serious hazards to human health and the environment. Radiation carries enough energy to break down DNA. The disintegration of DNA means the death of cells. Irresponsible to the environment, radioactive substances are a great danger to the health of humans, animals and plants. The natural environment and ecological balance are disrupted.
Authorized test and inspection organizations also carry out the inspections of radioactive areas within the scope of environmental inspections. Measurement, testing and inspections carried out by the competent authorities are extremely important. The studies are based on standards and legal regulations published by domestic and foreign organizations.