Alpha and beta radiation hazards are primarily what types of hazards?

• A. Inhalation hazards
• B. Radiation hazards
• C. Inhalation and contact hazards
• D. Fire hazards

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that the danger from alpha and beta emitters comes from how people are exposed, not just the fact that radiation exists. Alpha emitters deliver most of their damage if the material is inhaled as dust or aerosols or swallowed, because once inside the body they deposit a lot of energy in nearby tissues. External exposure from alpha is minimal, since alpha particles can’t penetrate skin. Beta emitters can penetrate the skin to some degree, so contact with contaminated material can cause skin effects, but the bigger health risk still tends to be inhalation or ingestion of the material, which brings beta energy into internal tissues. So the hazards are best described as inhalation and contact (contaminated material leading to ingestion or dermal transfer). The other choices either miss a key exposure route or mischaracterize the nature of radiation risk in this context.