Radiation Safety Practice Exam

According to the linear non-threshold hypothesis, what is assumed about exposure to radiation?

1. There is no risk at low levels of exposure

2. Any level of exposure carries some risk

3. Exposure only affects certain individuals

4. High doses have a cumulative protective effect

The correct answer is: Any level of exposure carries some risk

The linear non-threshold hypothesis posits that any level of radiation exposure, no matter how small, carries some degree of risk of causing harmful effects, such as cancer. This principle suggests that the risk increases linearly with the dose of radiation received, meaning there is no safe threshold below which exposure is considered risk-free. This model is particularly important in radiation safety because it underlines the need for minimizing exposure as much as possible, even at low levels. Understanding that any exposure could potentially lead to adverse effects informs safety protocols and protective measures in environments where radiation is present. In contrast, the other concepts presented in the choices do not align with this hypothesis. The idea that there is no risk at low levels, the notion that exposure affects only certain individuals, and the assertion that high doses could have a protective cumulative effect contradict the linear non-threshold premise, which emphasizes the inherent risk associated with all degrees of exposure.