Whether it's the first responders to a radioactive detonation, radiographers conducting an X-ray examination or nuclear power plant workers, radiation-resistant garments can help prevent the harmful effects caused by radioactive substances through a process called irradiation. There are four major types of radiation: alpha, beta, neutron and electromagnetic. Each comes with its own health risks, from causing skin burns to mutating and damaging DNA, which can lead to the development of cancer.
Some radiation is easier to block than others. For example, alpha particles, such as those released from uranium, can be blocked by a piece of paper or your skin. But when those particles are inhaled through the nose, they can lead to lung cancer. Some electromagnetic waves, on the other hand, such as gamma rays, require thick layers of material such as lead to block them completely.
To prevent these types of radiation from entering and wreaking havoc on the human body, specialised hazardous materials suits are deployed. The term 'hazmat suit' is used to cover a range of protective gear. This may include suits designed to shield the wearer from biological hazards, chemical exposure and viruses, whereas others can be used to block particles of harmful radiation.
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Denne historien er fra Issue 176-utgaven av How It Works UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
RESCUE IN SPACE
Fortunately, space emergencies are a rare occurrence, but astronauts and space agencies need to be prepared for any eventuality that might arise
NEANDERTHAL LIVING
Why our prehistoric cousins were pioneers, not clueless apes
BUILDING ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER
One World Trade Center rose from the ashes of the Twin Towers. Now, as the tallest building in New York City, it looks to the skies and the future. Here's how this sustainable and secure record-breaker was built
BECOME A SMARTPHONE SCIENTIST
Amazing tips and tricks to transform your smartphone into a bug-finding, star-spotting, data-gathering device
LIFTING THE LID ON ANTARCTICA
What was the coldest continent like without ice?
URBAN WILDLIFE
How wild animals have evolved to thrive alongside humans in towns and cities
WHAT IS SUNBURN?
How solar rays can leave us red, sore and irritated
ALL ABOUT FAT
Fat is a complex, active organ. Here's how genetics, evolution, lifestyle and diet dictate how much we have beneath our skin
The Space Force is launching lasers into orbit
The Space Force aims to better pinpoint the location of Earth's true centre using lasers on GPS satellites, slated to launch in 2025. A set of Laser Retroreflector Arrays, or LRAS, will be installed onto two GPS III satellites, SV9 and SV10, as part of NASA's Space Geodesy Program. The lasers are designed to make precise sub-centimetre measurements using a technique called Satellite Laser Ranging, which will allow researchers to more accurately determine Earth's centre.
Eating too much sugar may accelerate cellular ageing
A nutrient-rich diet with few added sugars may slow the rate of biological ageing in women. Scientists found that middle-aged women who ate more foods packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants had 'younger looking' cells than those who consumed less nutrient-rich diets.
