Which statement accurately describes radiation safety controls for ionizing versus non-ionizing radiation?

• A. Ionizing radiation safety uses shielding, dosimetry, and ALARA; non-ionizing uses shielding, exposure limits, and administrative controls
• B. Ionizing radiation requires no shielding
• C. Non-ionizing radiation uses dosimetry
• D. Both types use identical controls

Answer: (A)

Ionizing radiation has enough energy to remove electrons from atoms, which can damage tissue and increase cancer risk. Because of that, safety programs rely on measuring actual exposure with dosimetry, using shielding to attenuate the radiation before it reaches workers, and applying ALARA—keeping doses as low as reasonably achievable—along with administrative controls to manage who is exposed and for how long. Non-ionizing radiation, while it can cause harm mainly through heating or other specific biological effects, is managed with exposure limits, engineering controls including shielding when appropriate, and administrative controls to minimize exposure. Dosimetry isn’t routinely used for non-ionizing exposure, so the combination of controls differs between the two types.