Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

Which of the following is a characteristic of ionizing radiation?

1. It has no health risks

2. It can damage living tissue

3. It is always visible

4. It does not follow the laws of physics

The correct answer is: It can damage living tissue

Ionizing radiation is characterized by its ability to carry enough energy to dislodge electrons from atoms or molecules, leading to the ionization of these substances. This process can cause significant damage to living tissue at the cellular level. When ionizing radiation interacts with biological tissues, it can result in various harmful effects, including mutations to DNA, cellular damage, and even cancer. This potential for causing biological changes is why ionizing radiation is closely monitored and regulated in environments where exposure could occur, such as medical settings and nuclear facilities. The other statements do not accurately reflect the properties of ionizing radiation. For example, it is not correct to say that ionizing radiation has no health risks, as it is well-documented that exposure can lead to serious health issues. The assertion that it is always visible is also inaccurate, as many types of ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays and X-rays, are invisible to the human eye. Additionally, stating that ionizing radiation does not follow the laws of physics is misleading; like all forms of radiation, it adheres to established physical principles. Therefore, the defining characteristic of ionizing radiation indeed lies in its capacity to damage living tissue.