RMS Radon Science & Health Effects 2

Question 1

Which decay product of radon-222 is responsible for the majority of lung dose during inhalation?

Accepted Answer

Polonium-218 and Polonium-214

Answer

Po-218 and Po-214 are the short-lived alpha-emitting progeny that deposit most of the radiation dose to bronchial tissue.

Question 2

What is the relationship between radon concentration and lung cancer risk according to the linear no-threshold (LNT) model?

Accepted Answer

Risk increases proportionally with any exposure level

Answer

The LNT model assumes any amount of radiation exposure carries some proportional risk, with no safe threshold.

Question 3

Radon is produced through the decay of which element that is naturally present in soil and rock?

Accepted Answer

Uranium-238

Answer

Uranium-238 decays through a chain that includes radium-226, which then decays to produce radon-222.

Question 4

The EPA classifies radon as a Group A carcinogen because it is:

Accepted Answer

Known to cause cancer in humans based on sufficient evidence

Answer

Group A carcinogens have sufficient human epidemiological evidence linking them to cancer, as established by miner studies.

Question 5

Which population subgroup faces the greatest relative risk from chronic radon exposure?

Accepted Answer

Current cigarette smokers

Answer

Smokers face a synergistic, multiplicative increase in lung cancer risk because radon and tobacco smoke act together to damage lung tissue.

(RMS) Radon Mitigation Specialist Practice Test