Unit 21C: Medical Physics
Understand health and safety,
associated risks, side effects and
limitations of ionising and non-ionising
instrumentation techniques in medical
applications.
Nikki Moslares
BTEC Level 3 Applied Sciences
, Non-ionising radiation
- It is a type of radiation that does not supply sufficient energy to ionize
atoms or molecules. Nevertheless, the radiation can interact with people,
equipment and other substance which leads to long-term health and safety
developments.
- This radiation exist in many sources, it can be found at the left end of the
electromagnetic spectrum. Non-ionising radiation has low frequencies
which means it has a lower energy.
Non-ionising radiation involves:
Ultraviolet rays – has the highest energy in compared to the other non-ionising
elements. It is applied for UVR (Ultraviolet rays) Phototherapy, a type of
treatment for skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
Side effects:
Skin redness (disappears within 24 hours)
Burns or blisters
Dry skin
Skin photoaging
Development of skin cancer like squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma
and basal cell carcinoma (if there is prolonged use of the
phototherapy)
professional, C.C. medical (no date a) Phototherapy (light therapy): What it is, uses, benefits
& risks, Cleveland Clinic. Available at:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24385-phototherapy-light-
therapy#:~:text=Phototherapy%20is%20a%20form%20of,common%20treatment%20for
%20newborn%20jaundice. (Accessed: 31 May 2023).
Understand health and safety,
associated risks, side effects and
limitations of ionising and non-ionising
instrumentation techniques in medical
applications.
Nikki Moslares
BTEC Level 3 Applied Sciences
, Non-ionising radiation
- It is a type of radiation that does not supply sufficient energy to ionize
atoms or molecules. Nevertheless, the radiation can interact with people,
equipment and other substance which leads to long-term health and safety
developments.
- This radiation exist in many sources, it can be found at the left end of the
electromagnetic spectrum. Non-ionising radiation has low frequencies
which means it has a lower energy.
Non-ionising radiation involves:
Ultraviolet rays – has the highest energy in compared to the other non-ionising
elements. It is applied for UVR (Ultraviolet rays) Phototherapy, a type of
treatment for skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
Side effects:
Skin redness (disappears within 24 hours)
Burns or blisters
Dry skin
Skin photoaging
Development of skin cancer like squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma
and basal cell carcinoma (if there is prolonged use of the
phototherapy)
professional, C.C. medical (no date a) Phototherapy (light therapy): What it is, uses, benefits
& risks, Cleveland Clinic. Available at:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24385-phototherapy-light-
therapy#:~:text=Phototherapy%20is%20a%20form%20of,common%20treatment%20for
%20newborn%20jaundice. (Accessed: 31 May 2023).
