Which type of ionizing radiation can be deconned?

• A. Alpha particles
• B. Beta particles
• C. Alpha and Beta
• D. Gamma rays

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that decontamination depends on how the radiation interacts with matter. Alpha and beta contaminants sit on surfaces or skin and can often be removed by cleaning. Alpha emitters are heavy and don’t travel far, so washing off the material on the skin or clothing usually eliminates the contamination. Beta emitters also can be removed with cleaning, though some stubborn residues may require more effort.

Gamma rays, on the other hand, are highly penetrating photons that come from the source itself. Cleaning surfaces or skin won’t remove the gamma radiation, because the energy is traveling through space and materials rather than being tied up in surface contamination. To reduce exposure to gamma radiation, you rely on shielding, distance, or removing the source, rather than decontaminating in the sense of washing away contamination.

So, alpha and beta contamination can be decontaminated, whereas gamma radiation cannot.