Particle Accelerators
Particle accelerators are special machines that speed up charged particles and smash them into atoms,
breaking the atoms into even smaller pieces.
   •   Scientists use particle accelerators to study the smallest building blocks of our world.
   •   Accelerators can produce ionizing radiation in the form of x-rays, neutrons and charged particle beams
       as well as radioisotopes for use in research and technology.
   •   Particle accelerators are built and operated with safety in mind.

About Particle Accelerators
Have you ever heard of atom smashers? This is a fun name for
particle accelerators, which "smash" particles into atoms. Particle
accelerators are special machines that speed up charged particles:
electrons, protons and positrons. The accelerator uses electricity to
"push" the charged particles along a path. It pushes them over and
over to make them go faster and faster. The accelerator uses
magnets to steer the particles. Sometimes particles go almost as
fast as the speed of light. The magnets then steer the particles at
top speed into a metal target. When these fast-moving particles hit
the target, the atoms in the target split apart. Then scientists can
study the pieces to learn what makes up an atom and what holds
atoms together. These scientists are studying the smallest building
blocks of our world.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), more
than 15,000 accelerators are in use around the world. There are
many different designs, some small and some very big. The largest
particle accelerator in world, the Large Hadron Collider at the
European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland,
consists of more than 16 miles of tube.

Some accelerators produce ionizing radiation in the form of x-rays.
Other accelerators are used to create radioactive material by
breaking apart atoms and making them unstable. Almost all particle accelerators are either used in medicine to
treat diseases or by industry to make products like ceramics and plastics. They can also be used for research,
like the Large Hadron Collider. IAEA lists several types of and uses for particle accelerators:

   •   Diagnosing and treating cancer-Some accelerators produce radioactive materials that are used during
       Positron Emission Computed Tomography (PET) scans. Other types of radiation therapy can use linear
       particle accelerators to target and destroy tumors.

   •   Finding oil and minerals in the earth-Companies use small accelerators that produce neutrons for this
       use.
Fermilab, located 40 miles west of Chicago,
is home to the Tevatron. The Tevatron was
    the second most powerful particle
 accelerator in the world before it was shut
            down in 2011.
  United States Environmental Protection Agency | Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (6608T)  | EPA 402-F-14-023 | August 2014 | p. 1

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   •   Processing computer chips with charged particle beams.

   •   Sterilizing medical equipment and food.

   •   Making products like ceramics and plastics.

Particle accelerators are built and operated with safety in mind. Particle accelerators use a lot of energy to
speed up particles and they emit ionizing radiation while they are operating. They are often used to produce
radioactive material and, in some cases, can produce radioactive waste from running the machine.

Rules and Guidance

THE STATES
In many cases, states have agreements with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the
Department of Labor's (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to run particle
accelerators, ensure the safety of the operators and facility employees, and regulate radioactive material
produced from particle accelerators.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL), OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
(OSHA)
OSHA sets rules for worker safety for operating particle accelerators and in the handling of radioactive
materials produced as a result of running a particle accelerator.

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (NRC)

NRC is in charge of regulating nuclear material, including material made radioactive by using a  particle
accelerator.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES (HHS), U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
(FDA)
FDA makes rules about the manufacture and use of electronic products that emit radiation, including particle
accelerators. Accelerators used for cancer treatment also must meet FDA rules for medical equipment.

What you can do

In the unlikely event that you are near a particle accelerator, obey all safety rules.

Where to  learn more

You can learn more about particle accelerators by visiting the resources available on the following webpage:
http://www.epa.gov/radtown/particle-accelerators.htmltflearn-more.
  United States Environmental Protection Agency | Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (6608T) | EPA 402-F-14-023 | August 2014 | p. 2

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