Class 7: Radioactive Material

General Information:

Class 7 (Radioactive Materials) consists of substances that are unstable and constantly release invisible energy called radiation. Unlike other hazardous classes, the danger isn't just in touching or swallowing the material. The substances constantly sends out invisible energy that can penetrate through walls and packaging, and if a person is exposed to too much of it, it can damage body cells, cause cancer, or lead to radiation sickness. Unlike other hazards which you can see or smell, radiation is only detectable with special tools like Geiger counters.

Main Hazards:

• External radiation will occur from inshielded radioactive material.
• Internal radiation will occur from inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption.

Examples:

• Industrial Soil Gauges - Used in road construction to measure the density and moisture of the ground. These portable machines contain a small radioactive "source" that sends beams into the soil. They are highly regulated and kept in heavy, shielded cases to protect the workers using them.
• Medical Radioisotopes - Used in hospitals for diagnostic imaging and cancer treatments. Patients may be injected with a small amount of this "tracer" so that specialised cameras can see how their organs are functioning. Many tracers like Technetium-99m are shipped as clear, water-like solutions that are ready to be drawn into a syringe.