Radiation Safety Program
The Radiological Safety program at UTRGV exists to protect employees, students, and visitors as well as the public and the environment from the harmful effects of exposure to both ionizing (radioactive materials and x-ray sources) and non-ionizing Lasers and MRI) radiation.
In addition to the potential health risks, the use of radiation sources is highly regulated and can pose a compliance risk if improperly managed. The radiation Safety Program is responsible for developing and implementing the policies and procedures of the radiological safety program in all research and clinical environments at UTRGV. The RSP accomplishes this by providing several types of training, inventory of sources and machines, radioactive waste pickups, calibration services, personnel dosimetry to monitor radiation exposure, as well as technical support for all radiation safety concerns. The program ensures that the sources of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation are used in compliance with applicable federal and state regulations and with institutional licenses.
The University is committed to meeting all applicable regulatory requirements imposed by the State of Texas or the United States government and to keeping doses from licensed sources of radiation As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) - social, technological and economic factors taken into account.
Ionizing and Nonionizing Radiation Explained
Ionizing Radiation
Ionizing radiation is a form of energy that acts by removing electrons from atoms and molecules of materials that include air, water, and living tissue. Ionizing radiation can travel unseen and pass through these materials. It lies to the right of UV light on the electromagnetic spectrum. A familiar example of ionizing radiation is that of x-rays, which can penetrate our body and reveal pictures of our bones. We say that x-rays are "ionizing", meaning that they have the unique capability to remove electrons from atoms and molecules in the matter through which they pass. Ionizing activity can alter molecules within the cells of our body. That action may cause eventual harm (such as cancer). Significant exposures to ionizing radiation may produce skin or tissue damage.
UTRGV Ionizing Radiation Program
Non-Ionizing Radiation
Non-ionizing radiation exists all around us from many sources. It is to the left of ionizing radiation on the electromagnetic spectrum in the figure below. Put simply, non-ionizing radiation differs from ionizing radiation in the way it acts on materials like air, water, and living tissue.
Unlike x-rays and other forms of ionizing radiation, non-ionizing radiation does not have enough energy to remove electrons from atoms and molecules. Non-ionizing radiation can heat substances. For example, the microwave radiation inside a microwave oven heats water and food rapidly. Sources of non-ionizing radiation used at the University include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) used in clinical applications and Lasers used in both clinical applications and research.