Radiation And General Safety; Radiation Protection Basics - Thermo Scientific NITON XL3t 500 User Manual

Radiation and General Safety

Chapter 3
This chapter covers topics related to radiation safety and general safety when
using a Thermo Scientific NITON XL3t analyzer. At a minimum all
operators of the XL3t should be familiar with the instructions provided in
this chapter in order to handle the XL3t in a safe manner. In addition to
reading the information presented on the following pages, Thermo Fisher
Scientific recommends that instrument users participate in a radiation safety
and operational training class.
WARNING! Always treat radiation with respect. Do not hold your analyzer
near the measurement window during testing. Never point your analyzer at
yourself or anyone else when the shutter is open.
Radiation and
This chapter covers topics related to radiation safety and general safety when
General Safety
using a Thermo Scientific NITON XL3t analyzer. At a minimum all
operators of the XL3t should be familiar with the instructions provided in
this chapter in order to handle the XL3t in a safe manner. In addition to
reading the information presented on the following pages, Thermo Fisher
Scientific recommends that instrument users participate in a radiation safety
and operational training class.
Radiation Protection
The NITON Model XL3t analyzer contains an x-ray tube which emits
Basics
radiation only when the user turns the x-ray tube on. When the x-ray tube is
on and the shutter is open, as during a measurement, the analyzer emits a
directed radiation beam (See Figures 0-6 and 0-7). Reasonable effort should
be made to maintain exposures to radiation as far below dose limits as is
practical. This is known as the ALARA (As Low as Reasonably Achievable)
principle. For any given source of radiation, three factors will help minimize
your radiation exposure: Time, Distance, and Shielding.
Time
The longer you are exposed to a source of radiation the longer the radiation
is able to interact in your body and the greater the dose you receive. Dose
increases in direct proportion to length of exposure.
Thermo Scientific NITON XL3 Analyzer User's Guide 3-1