CHENNAI: A team from the Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research (IGCAR) gave live demonstrations on how to handle radiation and radioisotopes in the lab at Sri Ramachandra University during a day-long radiation safety awareness programme on Wednesday. The programme was not merely directed toward lab practitioners but also at those who spend a lot of time with radioactive chemicals in the line of research.In his inaugural address, Dr Balasundar, Scientist, Health and Safety Division at IGCAR, mentioned that there were two major objectives that IGCAR was looking to instill in people through such programmes, “We need to refresh and educate students and professionals about radiation applications and how to do so while paying heed to safety concerns,” he said and added, “The participants of this programme will act as ambassadors for the same purpose in propagating the message about the importance of radiation in everyday life and removing the stigma that the Hiroshima-Nagasaki blasts have created.”The usage of radiation, in whatever quantity, is inevitable in any lab today, he said. “Radiation today is an important tool for diagnosis as well as therapy in the field of medicine and industry from the cradle to retirement from service,” added Dr S Rangasamy, Vice-Chancellor.While the beneficial application of radioisotopes in the health care community was well recognised, the fact which was often overlooked upon was the safe handling of these isotopic sources and their disposal in a way that adhered to legal and regulatory guidelines.Live demonstrations using a basic Geiger-Muller counter and how to read the radiation levels on the suits using the indicator were demonstrated by the team from IGCAR. Dr Rangaswamy, in his presidential address, commended the efforts of the participating departments and the IGCAR for coming together for this discussion.
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