Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

What three factors are important for personal protection against radiation?

1. Time, shielding, distance

2. Height, weight, and health status

3. Age, training, and experience

4. Location, time of day, and ventilation

The correct answer is: Time, shielding, distance

The three factors that are critical for personal protection against radiation are time, shielding, and distance. Time refers to minimizing the duration of exposure to radiation sources. The longer an individual is exposed to radiation, the higher the potential dose received. By reducing the amount of time spent near a source of radiation, the risk associated with exposure decreases significantly. Shielding involves using barriers made of materials that can absorb or block radiation. Different types of radiation (such as alpha, beta, and gamma) require different types of shielding materials; for example, lead is often used for gamma radiation. Effective shielding decreases the amount of radiation that reaches the individual, thereby enhancing personal safety. Distance is another critical factor. Increasing the distance from a radiation source reduces exposure, following the inverse square law. This law states that as one moves farther away from a radiation source, the intensity of exposure decreases significantly, thus lowering the risk. Together, these three factors form the basis of a radiation safety principle known as ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), which aims to minimize radiation exposure in a laboratory setting or any environment where radiation is present.