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Introduction to Health Physics: Fourth Edition - Ruang Baca FMIPA UB

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NONIONIZING RADIATION SAFETY 795<br />

the production of erythema and skin cancer. The use of protective clothing and<br />

sunblocking creams is effective in preventing skin damage. Sunglasses that absorb<br />

UV light are effective in preventing eye injury.<br />

Laser radiation includes radiation in the UV, visible, and infrared portions of the<br />

electromagnetic spectrum; its wavelengths span the range from about 100 nm <strong>to</strong><br />

about 1 mm. Microwave wavelengths range from about 1 mm <strong>to</strong> the order of meters,<br />

and RF wavelengths range from meters <strong>to</strong> kilometers. The biological hazards from<br />

laser radiation are mainly <strong>to</strong> the eye and skin. Maximum exposure levels depend on<br />

the characteristics of the source (wavelength, pulsed or CW, duty cycle) and exposure<br />

time. Exposure limits are specified as radiant exposure, J/cm 2 , or irradiance, W/cm 2 .<br />

Lasers are classified according <strong>to</strong> their power output and thus <strong>to</strong> their potential<br />

hazard.<br />

The absorption of energy from RF and microwave radiation can lead <strong>to</strong> systemic<br />

effects due <strong>to</strong> temperature rise (thermal effects) and due <strong>to</strong> realignment of<br />

molecules and electric fields within the body. Dosimetry is based on the rate per unit<br />

mass of energy absorption from the external field. The quantity of dose is called<br />

the specific absorption rate (SAR) and is measured in units of watts per kilogram.<br />

Because of the extreme difficulty of measuring the SAR in a biologically meaningful<br />

way, environmental safety standards are specified in terms of maximum values for<br />

the electric and magnetic fields and for the power density. Radiation moni<strong>to</strong>ring<br />

instruments are designed <strong>to</strong> measure these quantities. These derived exposure<br />

limits, which are frequency-dependent, are set at levels <strong>to</strong> ensure that the average<br />

whole-body dose does not exceed 0.4 W/kg. Radiation safety measures include<br />

minimizing exposure time, maximizing distance from the source, and interposing<br />

shielding when necessary.<br />

m Problems<br />

14.1. The lethal absorbed dose of 265-nm UV light for E. coli bacteria is 14 MeV.<br />

How many pho<strong>to</strong>ns of this UV radiation does the lethal absorbed dose represent?<br />

14.2. An yttrium–aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser emits near-infrared radiation 1060 nm<br />

in wavelength at a power level of 10-W CW. The exit aperture is 3 mm in diameter,<br />

and the beam divergence is 5 milliradians. Calculate<br />

(a) the 1/e2 diameter at the aperture,<br />

(b) the 1/e2 diameter at a distance of 10 m, and<br />

(c) the irradiance at a distance of 10 m.<br />

14.3. A 0.1-J ruby laser has an aperture of 7 mm and a beam divergence of 1 milliradian.<br />

(a) What is the radiant exposure at distances of 5 and 10 m from the aperture?<br />

(b) How far behind the laser aperture is the virtual focal point from where the<br />

laser light seems <strong>to</strong> originate?<br />

(c) Is the inverse square law applicable if distances are measured from the virtual<br />

focal point of the laser beam?

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