Unit 10: The Radiological Threat

Question 1

What is the least energetic type of radiation? What does it include?

Answer 1

Nonionizing radiation
Includes visible light, radio waves

Question 2

What kind of radiation causes a chemical change in atoms by removing their electrons, is the most energetic, and the most hazardous?

Answer 2

Ionizing radiation

Question 3

What are the 4 kinds of Ionizing radiation?

Answer 3

Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Neutron

Question 4

Which kind of ionizing radiation can be stopped by paper and skin?

Answer 4

Alpha

Question 5

Which kind of Ionizing radiation can be stopped by Aluminum and clothing?

Answer 5

Beta

Question 6

What kind of ionizing radiation can be stopped by lead and penetrates skin?

Answer 6

Gamma

Question 7

What kind of ionizing radiation can be stopped by concrete, but travels through humans?

Answer 7

Neutron

Question 8

Contamination occurs when radioactive material is deposited on what?

Answer 8

Surfaces, Skin, and Clothing

Question 9

It is important to note that radiation does not spread, what does?

Answer 9

radioactive material/contamination

Question 10

Exposure only happens where?

Answer 10

Where there is biological damage.

Question 11

True or False
Exposure causes contamination

Answer 11

False - It DOES NOT cause contamination

Question 12

What occurs if radioactive material remains after contact?

Answer 12

Exposure

Question 13

A person can become contaminated __________ and/or __________ with radioactive material entering the body through one or more routes of entry

Answer 13

Externally, Internally

Question 14

How does Ionizing radiation damage the atoms of the body’s cell?

Answer 14

• Change their atomic structure and chemical properties
• Making them unable to properly function

Question 15

What is a radiation dose?

Answer 15

The amount of radiation energy that is absorbed into the body

Question 16

Doses can be acute or chronic, depending on what?

Answer 16

The duration of the exposure

Question 17

What is an acute dose of radiation?

Answer 17

Doses received over a short amount of time

Question 18

What are some effects of an acute dose of radiation? (6)

Answer 18

• Hair loss
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Reduced blood count

Question 19

What is a chronic dose of radiation?

Answer 19

Small amounts received over a long period of time

Question 20

Why do health effects typically take years to develop?

Answer 20

Because the body is able to repair some of the damage caused by low-level radiation

Question 21

What is a device designed to spread radioactive material through a detonation of conventional explosives or other (non-nuclear) means; also referred to as a “dirty bomb.”

Answer 21

Radiation Dispersal Device (RDD)

Question 22

What is a radioactive material that is in a sealed container located in an area where persons would receive direct exposure?

Answer 22

Radiation Exposure Device (RED)

Question 23

There are three basic principles of individual protection that apply to any and all sources of radiation, what are they?

Answer 23

Time, Distance, and Shielding

Question 24

What is the minimal level of decontamination that is acceptable after exposure to a chemical or radioactive source?

Answer 24

Estimates suggest that removing and bagging the victim’s clothing removes 80-95% of the contaminants

Question 25

To avoid cross-contamination, what should contaminated persons do?

Answer 25

Avoid contact with others until decon has been completed

Question 26

True or False
Once radioactive material is inhaled or ingested, there are reliable antidotes.

Answer 26

False - there are NO reliable antidotes

Question 27

True or False
There are some chemicals that do help cleanse the body of specific radioactive materials

Answer 27

True