Radiation Protection Glossary

Ionising radiation can be described in a number of ways - the simplest being that it consists of Gamma Rays , X-Rays , Alpha & Beta particles and other heavy Ions which have sufficient energy to cause ionisation in materials through which they interact . A less useful (but correct) definition can be found in the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 which states 'means transfer of energy in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves of a wavelength of 100 nanometers or less or a frequency of 3 E15 hertz or more capable of producing ions directly or indirectly'.