Radiation suits: an overview of protective suits. Does the suit help to fully protect from the radiation environment?

Peculiarities

The destructive effect of ionizing radiation on living tissues is a well-known fact, and since its discovery, mankind has been working to protect the population and the army in the event of the use of weapons of a certain type, accidents in industries operating on the energy of the atom, cosmic rays, which are dangerous. Simple clothing that could protect a person from radioactive radiation does not exist, but some success has already been achieved - people are able to defend themselves from the flow of ions in different ways.

Among the developments are biological and physical protection, distance, shielding, time and chemical compounds are applied.

The materials used in it against harmful radiation depend on the source of the hazard:

simple and affordable means, such as a respirator and rubber gloves, protect against alpha radiation;
the effects of exposure to beta particles can be prevented with the help of a protective suit used in the army - it includes a gas mask, special fabrics (glass and plexiglass, aluminum, light metal can reduce exposure);
heavy metals are used from gamma radiation, some of them dissipate hazardous energy flows more efficiently, therefore lead is more often used than iron and steel;
synthetic materials or the water column can save neutrons from neutrons; therefore, polymers, rather than lead and steel, are used for radiation protection.

A layer of any material used in the creation of a radiation suit is called a half-attenuation layer if it is able to halve the penetration of ions to living tissues. Any means of anti-radiation protection are aimed at creating an optimal protection factor (it is calculated by measuring the level of radiation that exists before the creation of the opposing layer, and comparing it with how intense the penetration is after a person is in any shelter).

At this level of human knowledge, it is impossible to create a universal suit against radiation that would protect against any kind of ions, hence the variety of options. But in addition to it, chemical protection agents can be used to prevent the development of damage to living cells.

Danger of radiation exposure

The process of spreading energy is called radiation. Infrared, ultraviolet, light, ionizing radiation all fall under this category. From the standpoint of the protection of life and means of protection against radiation, the ionizing type is of great interest. At high doses of radiation, the process of ionization of a substance promotes the formation of free radicals in cells, destroying the integrity of the cell membrane.

The radiation cannot be discerned without the right equipment, making it a very dangerous enemy. Its penetration occurs through the organs of the respiratory and digestive systems and through the skin. It most actively affects cells that are in the process of dividing. This feature makes its effect especially harmful for a growing child's body and requires careful protection from radiation.

In addition to the development of cancerous tumors, it causes the following diseases:

infertility;
mutations at the cellular level;
leukemia;
cataract;
diarrhea;
damage to various organs;
blood diseases;
radiation sickness.

A distinction should be made between the concepts of radiation and radioactivity. The second is the property of substances to emit ionizing radiation, it is this that requires the use of radiation protection equipment.The first is the ionizing radiation itself, wandering in open space and existing before being absorbed by another substance.

Radiation Supplements

The use of drugs and products that reduce the toxic effects of radionuclides will help neutralize the effects of the radiation dose. Natural defenders are:

White bread;
nuts;
radish;
wheat;
kelp (seaweed);
onion;
garlic.

Among the most common remedies to help reduce the annual dose of radiation, pharmaceuticals offer Ginseng Root. It must be taken 40 drops twice a day before meals. Eleutherococcus, leuzea, lungwort, and lure may also help reduce radiation exposure.

There is a little-known drug ASD, developed over 50 years ago in Soviet laboratories. It has shown excellent results, but currently it can only be purchased at specialized veterinary pharmacies. Western colleagues have also discovered a protein blocking agent that tends to trigger the cell's destruction mechanism when exposed to radiation - CBLB502. According to the researchers, just one injection is enough to eliminate the effects of radiation.

For preventive purposes, it is recommended to take iodine-containing products. This element, getting into the body, has a remarkable property to counteract the radioactive type of unstable iodine.

The main range of anti-radiation drugs and medicines are:

Myth: It is rumored that ethyl alcohol increases radiation resistance. In fact, alcohol only exacerbates the condition of the body, since the lack of oxygen it causes further weakens the immune system.

Residents who are in an area of increased radiation hazard, the best protection from radiation will be the use of a dosimetric device. It will make it possible to timely monitor the level of radiation and avoid interaction with radioactive objects.

Views

The most common and well-known protective kit is used by the army.

Turning it inside out, you can disguise yourself in a snowy area, since it is white inside. The OZK set includes stockings, gloves and a raincoat, which are securely fastened with various devices - straps, pins, ribbons and fasteners.

OZK is available in several heights and sizes, it can be winter and summer, it can be used in combination with a respirator or gas mask. You cannot wear it for a long time, but in the first hours it can prevent the decay of body tissues, and then shelter, chemical protection or distance are used. This useful product is now sold in shops for hunting and fishing, it can be purchased and used both for utilitarian, everyday purposes, and when there is a threat of radioactive damage.

A special radiation protective suit (RPC) is designed to protect a person in areas where combined exposure is applied.

It offers excellent protection against beta particles and, to some extent, is able to prevent the effects of gamma radiation. Depending on the specifics of radiation damage, any of its types can be used, but modern improved protective kits are able to prevent the destructive consequences of alpha and beta fluxes, neutrons.
Gamma particles are not completely neutralized, even if the suit is lead (the most common option), with plates of tungsten, steel or heavy metals.It limits freedom of movement, but is most effective in hazardous areas where gamma radiation is the prevailing factor.
This suit includes a special insulating spacesuit, underneath it is put on a jumpsuit, underwear, it is equipped with an air supply system. The whole set weighs over 20 kg.

Theoretically, protective suits include all means capable of preventing the action of destructive particles on the skin, mucous membranes, organs of vision and respiration for some time.

Advances in science and the use of atomic energy for peaceful and military purposes have led to more advanced developments, but the gas mask is still in use, although it has been significantly modified.

Radiation protection of food, water and air

To begin with, let's dispel the myths that radiation in its pure form can infect air, water, food. If you had a tightly closed can of water in your shelter, then the water, even under the influence of strong radiation, will not become radioactive. This will happen if radioactive particles get into the water. This also applies to air and water. Therefore, the primary concern is to protect food and water from secondary radiation. Store water in sealed containers. Pack products in cellophane. Since even thin polyethylene is able to protect products from the penetration of radioactive particles. Products in packaging and natural casing can be washed, thereby removing radioactive dust. Secondary radiation is dangerous, first of all, because radioactive particles can enter the body with food, water, and inhaled air. Once inside, the particles, depending on the type of chemical element, are absorbed into various organs, continuing to irradiate the body from the inside. For example, radioactive iodine-131 accumulates in the thyroid gland. When reaching the surface, one should take into account the distance to the radioactive fallout deposited on the surface of the earth - near the ground itself, the background will be several times higher than at a height of 0.7 - 1 m (approximately at this height our internal organs are located). Therefore, it is better to carry children on their shoulders, because due to their low stature, walking on their own on the ground, they will receive a larger dose than adults.

Upon receipt of information about an increase in the level of radiation, you can take potassium iodide for 7 days, one tablet (0.125 g), and for children under 2 years old - 1/4 of the tablet (0.04 g). If there is no potassium iodide, you can use an iodine solution at the rate of 3-5 drops of a 5% solution of iodine per glass of water, for children under 2 years old - one or two drops. When applying, be sure to read the instructions for the preparation !!! According to unverified information, this method of protection is not so harmless to the body !!!

P.S. The article will be supplemented and edited

Related materials:

Radiation protection equipment

Radiation exposure is attenuated by heavy substances, which act as a kind of protective shield. Exposure to radiation is delayed by the following substances:

steel, 13 cm;
water, 100 ml;
brick, 40 cm;
lead, 8 cm;
loose soil, 90 cm;
dense soil, 60 cm.

It is unsafe for people working in rooms with a high radiation background to be present without appropriate "ammunition". As a means of protection against radiation, there are specially designed shields that block ionizing radiation and a radiation suit.

For example, alpha radiation tends to affect only the skin when exposed to external influences. To provide protection from radiation, a respirator, gloves made of rubber, a polyethylene raincoat, and cotton clothing should be worn.

Keeping yourself safe from beta radiation is a little more difficult. If the permissible radiation dose is exceeded, a glass or aluminum sheet shield and a gas mask will do a good job. There is no need to study encyclopedias to understand how to build a shelter: you just need to hide in the basement of a brick or concrete building.

The most difficult way to protect yourself from radiation is when exposed to gamma radiation.The materials used for the manufacture of the necessary uniforms - lead, tungsten, cast iron and steel, are quite expensive and have a high mass. How to make a shelter if there is no way to determine the type of particles? Brick walls, with interior trim of metal sheets and polyethylene, will help shelter from the effects of any dose of radiation.

Radiation protection - methods, means and principles