What is a discrete radioactive particle?

• A. Very small, but highly radioactive.
• B. Large and weakly radioactive.
• C. A personal contamination monitor.
• D. A wipe sample.

Answer: (A)

A discrete radioactive particle is a single, tiny piece of radioactive material that carries a relatively high level of radioactivity for its size. Because it is so small, it can behave like an individual unit that may be inhaled or deposited in the body, creating a potential internal dose despite its tiny physical size. This makes such particles especially hazardous and requiring careful handling and monitoring. It isn’t a device used to detect contamination, nor is it a collected sample used for measurement. A personal contamination monitor is a detector, and a wipe sample is material collected to test for contamination; neither describes the actual particle itself. The idea here is that even a very small particle can be highly radioactive, which is why the term emphasizes size combined with high activity.