Can radiation protection "artifact" really protect you?

Nowadays, putting a pot of cactus in front of the computer has become the standard equipment of the network office family. It is said that "the cactus can prevent radiation." In addition to cacti, various Internet celebrity anti-radiation products are very popular among white-collar workers, ranging from mobile phone anti-radiation film and anti-radiation glasses to large anti-radiation screens, radiation protection suits for pregnant women... and even iodized salt is used for radiation protection. Can these "artifacts" really prevent radiation?

Is cactus anti-radiation?

Some people say that cacti can play an important role in radiation protection, but even the deity of cactus also said that they "did not know". Another common misunderstanding is that you can protect the fetus from radiation effects by wearing radiation protection suits for pregnant women. In fact, the radiation protection effect of a thin layer of clothing is really minimal. Professionals are protected against X-rays, but they must wear thick lead clothing.

Is iodized salt really versatile?

Looking back at the Fukushima nuclear spill in Japan in 2011, the iodized salt in domestic supermarket stores was sold out. So, can iodized salt really play a role in radiation protection? In fact, stable iodine can only protect the thyroid, but not other parts of the body. Because iodine is close to the thyroid part of the human body, if stable iodine preempts the thyroid part, it can prevent the adverse effects of radioactive iodine 125 or 131 on the thyroid. In other words, iodine does have a protective effect. However, the iodine content in iodized salt is negligible. Compared with the iodine tablets we took before the radiation accident, the iodine content in 3 kilograms of table salt is equivalent to the iodine content in one iodine tablet. Therefore, the radiation protection of iodine is very important, and iodized salt is not a panacea.

Radiation is everywhere

In nature, any object whose temperature is higher than absolute zero (-273°C) will produce radiation. In other words, all objects will produce radiation, in the form of heat radiation or other forms, and most of them will not harm the human body.

The natural radiation in nature comes from the sun, cosmic rays and radionuclides in the earth's crust. Human beings have adapted to the environment of natural radiation. For example, the annual radiation dose of marble is less than 0.17mSv, which is equal to the radiation dose of eating 1700 bananas. The element radon is the most common radioactive element in daily life. Most of it appears in gaseous form. It is usually contained in natural stone and causes almost no harm to the human body. Uranium, the nuclear raw material we are familiar with, actually only accounts for a few percent of uranium ore. It needs to be refined and enriched to have high radioactivity. It was once used in the porcelain and glass industries. Therefore, radiation is everywhere.

Three Brothers of Ionizing Radiation

According to the standard of whether it can ionize the atoms or molecules of a substance to form charged particles (ions and electrons), radiation can be divided into two types: ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Among them, non-ionizing radiation has low energy, such as ultraviolet, visible light, microwave, radio waves, etc., which are extremely common in daily life. Non-ionizing radiation occurs in mobile phones, TVs, and microwave ovens around us, but normal use will not affect health.

Ionizing radiation includes alpha particles, beta particles, protons, neutrons, X-rays, gamma rays, etc., which can cause harm to the human body under sufficient intensity. Among them, the three brothers of particles α, β, and γ are the three kinds of particles often produced in ionizing radiation. Alpha particles have a mass close to 4 times the mass of protons, are positively charged, and have a speed of 1/10 of the speed of light. Their penetrating ability is extremely weak, and a piece of white paper can block them. The mass of beta particles is equivalent to 1/1800 of the mass of protons. They are negatively charged and have a speed of 9/10 the speed of light. A thicker aluminum plate is needed to stop them. Gamma rays are actually photons with a small mass limit and the speed of light. Only standing behind a thick concrete wall can be protected from high-intensity gamma radiation.

Radiation protection follows principles

When encountering radiation, we must shorten the exposure time as much as possible, stay as far away as possible from radioactive contaminated areas, and use lead plates, steel plates or walls to block or reduce the intensity of exposure. That is, when encountering different radiation conditions and different radiation particles mentioned above, protection should be carried out under the three principles of radiation protection of time, distance and isolation.

Be sure to pay attention to eating and drinking. After a nuclear radiation emergency, emergency protection should be carried out in time. The food should be placed in a closed container or refrigerator. Food that has not been closed beforehand should be washed before being put into the container. In addition, do not drink desalinated water.

Be sure to protect your nose and mouth. When you enter an area where the air is heavily polluted by radioactive materials, guard your facial features. For example, cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief, towel, cloth, mask, etc. to reduce the inhalation of radioactive materials.

Be vigilant in ventilation and air intake. After a nuclear radiation emergency occurs, pay attention to timely closing windows and vents and use recirculating air. If you stay indoors, turn off the air conditioner, ventilation fan, boiler and other air inlets. Keep windows and vents closed in the car and use circulating air inside the car.

Don't forget about personal cleaning. If you have been exposed to nuclear radiation pollution, you must change your clothes and shoes in time. Put the exposed clothing in a plastic bag, seal it and mark it, and store it in a remote place. Wash your body thoroughly.

Body protection is very important. After a nuclear radiation emergency, avoid rain, minimize exposed parts, and wear long clothes, hats, turbans, glasses, raincoats, gloves, and boots. The protection of the neck (thyroid) is especially important.

Keeping the information channels unblocked For the safety and health of yourself and others, remember to call the “12369” environmental protection report number of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment in time when an accident occurs. In the event of an incident, try to obtain reliable information about emergencies and understand the decisions and notifications of government departments. We should maintain information communication with national authorities through various means, and avoid credulous rumors or gossip.

Nuclear and life are closely related

Artificial nuclear radiation has become more and more widely used in the fields of industry, medicine, agriculture, military, aerospace, and energy. For example, nuclear energy, as we know it, as an efficient and safe green energy source, has already played an important role in energy supply, and the radiation level around nuclear power plants is far lower than natural radiation.

In food, nuclear radiation can inhibit the sprout of garlic and beans, and extend the shelf life of vegetables and preserved fruits. A considerable part of the food is also made from radiation-induced crops, such as the soybeans and rice that we often eat. These foods themselves do not cause harm to the human body. In daily life, X-ray security inspection devices are widely used in subways, airports and other places to conduct safety inspections on luggage. Our lives are closely related to nuclear, and making good use of radiation is the only way to welcome a better and brighter life in the future.

Nuclear technology is already a close partner in our lives. What we have to do is not to talk about nuclear discoloration, but to constantly master relevant scientific knowledge, to understand nuclear, make good use of nuclear technology, and do a good job in nuclear emergency protection. On the basis of health and health, enjoy the fruits of nuclear technology.