Which radioactive waste emits alpha, beta, and gamma radiation simultaneously, making it the most hazardous ?
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Answer: D. Ra-226
Explanation
Radium-226 undergoes radioactive decay by emitting alpha, beta, and gamma radiation simultaneously. This simultaneous multi-type radiation emission makes handling and containing the isotope extremely hazardous. High energy emissions from this radionuclide cause severe biological tissue damage upon exposure. Radium is a radioactive decay product of uranium found naturally in geological formations. Alpha particles present severe internal hazards, while gamma rays require heavy shielding materials. Radioactive isotopes release energy spontaneously as unstable atomic nuclei transform into stable elements.
Historical luminizing applications exposed workers to severe health risks from radium contamination. Proper storage and disposal protocols are essential for managing high-risk radioactive waste materials. Environmental monitoring detects radium isotopes in groundwater near contaminated mining tailings sites. Option A represents iodine-131, which primarily emits beta and gamma radiation during decay. Option B denotes strontium-90, a fission product that emits only beta particles during decay. Option C refers to gold-198, which emits beta and gamma radiation but lacks alpha emissions.
- Subject
- Engineering
- Category
- Chemical Engineering
- Topic
- —
- Difficulty
- medium
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