Concepção de estudantes acerca de radiação ionizante

Abstract

Since radiation was discovered, its functionality contributed to many advances in various areas. As a result of its uncontrollable use and the radiological accidents caused by human error, the effects of radiation became evident and the bad reputation of radiation got spread, causing fear. Objective: To analyze the technical college students’ idea about ionizing radiation. Methodology: This research has an exploratory character with qualitative approach, involving 100 students from technical college, interviewed from 17/04/2021 a 13/05/2021, according to the precepts from Resolution Nº 466/12. Data was obtained through a quiz developed on the platform Google Forms, send to the students through the application WhatsApp. Results: It was observed that 52% of the participants never studied about radiation at any time in their lives, however, most of them (63%) recognized the radiation symbol; the biggest part (74%) understand that radiation is essential nowadays; 88% of them had to go through some exam that utilizes radiation. Even though 39% of interviewed believe that radiation causes harm, independently of the dose, 98% never avoided or will avoid take exams or medical treatment because of fear of radiation. Most of them (68%) recognizes that there is no food able to protect against radiation and that the best way to get protect from it is using distance and barriers (43%). The majority (67%) of the participants was not able to answer if the use of radiation on food is allowed, and 44% affirmed that would only eat irradiated foods if they did not know they were irradiated; 58% think that irradiated food can cause cancer. Conclusion: According to the obtained results, it is possible to conclude that radiation is part of the lives of the students and they affirm its essentiality, nevertheless, some concepts are still not part of their knowledge, which ends up distorting the truth about the subject, especially the relation between radiation and cancer.