Unit 21: Medical Physics Applications
Learning aim C: Health and Safety in the medical use of ionizing and
non-ionizing radiation technologies
1
,Content page:
P5: Explain the health and safety risks, side effects and limitations of non-
ionizing and ionizing radiation technologies: pg. 3-16
● Health and safety risks of non-ionizing radiation: pg.3-7
● Side effects of using non-ionising radiation: pg. 8-9
● Limitations of using non-ionising radiation: pg 9-10
● Health and safety risks of ionizing radiation pg 11-14
● Side effects of using ionising radiation: pg. 14-15
● Limitations of using ionising radiation: pg. 15-16
P6: explain how hospitals can employ health and safety measures, when
using instruments, for the protection of operators and patients. Pg. 17-21
● Explain the role of the Health and Safety Executive and relevant Legislation (e.g., A guide
to the Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016) in the control of
radiation exposure of medical staff and patients. Pg. 18-20
● Explain the health and safety measures used by hospitals in order to maximize the
protection of medical staff and patients with reference to currents health and safety
legislation and the Health and Safety Executive: pg. 20-21
M3: Compare the health and safety risks, side effects and limitations of non-ionizing and ionizing
radiation technologies in medical applications to maximize the protection of operators and
patients: pg. 22-28
● Health and safety risks: pg 22-23
● Side effects: pg 24-25
● Limitations: pg 25 - 25
● Level of risk: pg 26-27
● Conclusion: pg 27- 28
D2: Discuss the consequences of poor health and safety when using non-ionizing and ionizing
radiation technologies and the prevention and safety measures employed. Pg 29-31
● consequences of poor health and safety: pg. 29-30
● Prevention and Safety Measures Employed in Non-Ionizing and Ionizing Radiation
Technologies: pg. 30 - 31
Reference page: Pg. 32-35
2
, P5: Explain the health and safety risks, side effects and limitations of non-
ionizing and ionizing radiation technologies.
Non-ionizing radiation
Health and safety risks of non-ionizing radiation
Non-ionising radiation pertains to a kind of electromagnetic radiation that falls within specific
bandwidths of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as microwave, infrared, and radio frequency
(RF) radiation. Non-ionising radiation technology has been increasingly recognized in the
healthcare industry for its valuable contribution to diagnostic imaging, therapeutic interventions
and physiological functions monitoring. Several examples include ultrasound imaging, magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI), and therapeutic diathermy which are currently being used for medical
purposes. Despite their advantages in medicine there is still serious concerns about potential
safety hazards associated with their applications. This report delves into these risks highlighted
above; carefully emphasizing on the significance of implementing measures that could minimize
any harmful effects arising from non-ionizing radiations utilization within medical practices.
Thermal effects
Thermal effects in biological tissues represent a significant concern associated with non-ionizing
radiation exposure. The underlying mechanisms causing thermal effects involve dielectric
heating and resonance absorption, which result in elevated tissue temperature, potential protein
denaturation, and cell degeneration.
When exposed to non-ionizing radiation, such as radiofrequency (RF) waves, electromagnetic
fields oscillate, causing polar molecules within biological tissues (e.g., water) to continuously
realign with the changing electric field, this realignment generates molecular motion, friction,
and collisions, converting absorbed electromagnetic energy into heat (Balanis, 2016).
Scientific evidence shows that prolonged or continuous exposure to high-intensity non-ionizing
radiation may cause excessive heating of the tissues. For instance, therapeutic diathermy
employs RF or microwave radiation to generate deep tissue heating, promoting pain relief and
inflammation reduction (Kitchen & Partridge, 2018). However, if improperly administered or
calibrated, excessive heating may occur, leading to burns, cell damage, or other heat-related
injuries.
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is another medical technology that utilizes
non-ionizing radiation to treat specific cancerous tumours. HIFU concentrates ultrasound energy
3
Learning aim C: Health and Safety in the medical use of ionizing and
non-ionizing radiation technologies
1
,Content page:
P5: Explain the health and safety risks, side effects and limitations of non-
ionizing and ionizing radiation technologies: pg. 3-16
● Health and safety risks of non-ionizing radiation: pg.3-7
● Side effects of using non-ionising radiation: pg. 8-9
● Limitations of using non-ionising radiation: pg 9-10
● Health and safety risks of ionizing radiation pg 11-14
● Side effects of using ionising radiation: pg. 14-15
● Limitations of using ionising radiation: pg. 15-16
P6: explain how hospitals can employ health and safety measures, when
using instruments, for the protection of operators and patients. Pg. 17-21
● Explain the role of the Health and Safety Executive and relevant Legislation (e.g., A guide
to the Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016) in the control of
radiation exposure of medical staff and patients. Pg. 18-20
● Explain the health and safety measures used by hospitals in order to maximize the
protection of medical staff and patients with reference to currents health and safety
legislation and the Health and Safety Executive: pg. 20-21
M3: Compare the health and safety risks, side effects and limitations of non-ionizing and ionizing
radiation technologies in medical applications to maximize the protection of operators and
patients: pg. 22-28
● Health and safety risks: pg 22-23
● Side effects: pg 24-25
● Limitations: pg 25 - 25
● Level of risk: pg 26-27
● Conclusion: pg 27- 28
D2: Discuss the consequences of poor health and safety when using non-ionizing and ionizing
radiation technologies and the prevention and safety measures employed. Pg 29-31
● consequences of poor health and safety: pg. 29-30
● Prevention and Safety Measures Employed in Non-Ionizing and Ionizing Radiation
Technologies: pg. 30 - 31
Reference page: Pg. 32-35
2
, P5: Explain the health and safety risks, side effects and limitations of non-
ionizing and ionizing radiation technologies.
Non-ionizing radiation
Health and safety risks of non-ionizing radiation
Non-ionising radiation pertains to a kind of electromagnetic radiation that falls within specific
bandwidths of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as microwave, infrared, and radio frequency
(RF) radiation. Non-ionising radiation technology has been increasingly recognized in the
healthcare industry for its valuable contribution to diagnostic imaging, therapeutic interventions
and physiological functions monitoring. Several examples include ultrasound imaging, magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI), and therapeutic diathermy which are currently being used for medical
purposes. Despite their advantages in medicine there is still serious concerns about potential
safety hazards associated with their applications. This report delves into these risks highlighted
above; carefully emphasizing on the significance of implementing measures that could minimize
any harmful effects arising from non-ionizing radiations utilization within medical practices.
Thermal effects
Thermal effects in biological tissues represent a significant concern associated with non-ionizing
radiation exposure. The underlying mechanisms causing thermal effects involve dielectric
heating and resonance absorption, which result in elevated tissue temperature, potential protein
denaturation, and cell degeneration.
When exposed to non-ionizing radiation, such as radiofrequency (RF) waves, electromagnetic
fields oscillate, causing polar molecules within biological tissues (e.g., water) to continuously
realign with the changing electric field, this realignment generates molecular motion, friction,
and collisions, converting absorbed electromagnetic energy into heat (Balanis, 2016).
Scientific evidence shows that prolonged or continuous exposure to high-intensity non-ionizing
radiation may cause excessive heating of the tissues. For instance, therapeutic diathermy
employs RF or microwave radiation to generate deep tissue heating, promoting pain relief and
inflammation reduction (Kitchen & Partridge, 2018). However, if improperly administered or
calibrated, excessive heating may occur, leading to burns, cell damage, or other heat-related
injuries.
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is another medical technology that utilizes
non-ionizing radiation to treat specific cancerous tumours. HIFU concentrates ultrasound energy
3
