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Health and Safety - Hazards - Ionising Radiation

Ionising radiation is radiation that carries enough energy to free electrons from atoms or molecules. Ionising radiation is made up of energetic subatomic particles, ions or atoms moving at relativistic speeds, and electromagnetic waves on the high-energy end of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Gamma rays, X-rays, and the higher ultraviolet part of the electromagnetic spectrum are ionising, whereas the lower ultraviolet part of the electromagnetic spectrum, visible light (including nearly all types of laser light), infrared, microwaves, and radio waves are considered nonionising radiation. Typical ionising subatomic particles from radioactivity include alpha particles, beta particles and neutrons.

Special Contacts
• Departmental Radiation Protection Supervisor, Jon Duffy x22410
• University Radiation Protection Officer, Joel Garner