Radon Measurement Professional Exam
(InterNACHI and AARST) |195 Q’s and A’s
A _____ refers to the series of transformations that a given radionuclide will undergo, as well
as the kind of radiation it emits, which are characteristic of the radionuclide - -decay chain
-_____ are the extremely small particles of which we, and everything around us, are made. -
-atoms
-If one atom were the size of the Houston Astrodome, its nucleus would be roughly the size
of a _____. - -pea
-T/F: The balance of the forces in the nucleus of an atom determines whether a nucleus is
stable or unstable (radioactive). - -true
-As an unstable nucleus emits radiation as it disintegrates, the radionuclide transforms to
different nuclides, and this process is called _____. - -radioactive decay
-_____ is the energy that is released as particles or rays during radioactive decay. - -
radiation
-_____ particles include two protons and two neutrons. - -alpha
-We're really concerned with the _____ particles, because they can be stopped by a sheet of
paper where they release their energy. - -alpha
-Some decay products of radon emit beta particles, but its alpha-emitting decay products
pose a much _____ health risk. - -greater
-_____ photons can pass through many kinds of materials, including human tissue. - -
gamma
-_____ are the source of cell damage in the lungs. - -RDPs (radon decay products)
-T/F: Radon gas tastes like sulphur. - -false
-T/F: If RDPs plate out on a wall, they are a hazard. - -false
-If the radon concentration is 75 pCi/L, and the decay-product concentration is 0.3 WL, the
equilibrium ratio would be calculated as follows: ER = (0.3) x (100) / 75 = _____. - -0.4
-The average indoor radon level is _____ pCi/L. - -1.3
, -If a gallon container held air with 4 pCi/L, there would be about 4 (quarts per gallon)
multiplied by 4 (pCi/L) multiplied by 2.22 disintegrations per minutes, or about _____
disintegrations per minutes of radon atoms in the container. - -35.2
-Radon is the _____ most important cause of lung cancer after smoking in many countries. -
-2nd
-T/F: The World Health Organization (WHO) says radon causes up to 15% of lung cancers
worldwide. - -true
-T/F: There exists a known threshold concentration below which radon exposure presents
no risk. - -false
-T/F: Since alpha particles are more massive and more highly charged than other types of
ionizing radiation, they are more damaging to living tissue. - -true
-T/F: Evidence exists that shows a threshold of exposure below which radon levels are
harmless. - -false
-T/F: Radon is a known human lung carcinogen and is the largest source of radiation
exposure and risk to the general public. - -true
-A difference in _____ between the basement or crawlspace and the surrounding soil draws
radon into the home. - -air pressure
-The objective of a sub-slab or sub-membrane depressurization system is to create a _____
beneath the foundation, which is greater in strength than the vacuum imposed on the soil
by the house itself. - -vacuum
-T/F: Radon gas is approximately seven times heavier than air. - -true
-We estimate that about 1 in _____ homes nationwide have levels at or above the level of 4
pCi/l, the level at which it is recommended to take action to reduce concentrations. - -15
-T/F: You can see, feel, smell, and taste radon. - -false
-This standard of practice specifies procedures and minimum requirements when
measuring radon concentrations in _____ residences for determining if radon mitigation is
necessary to protect current and future occupants. - -single-family
-This standard applies to homeowners, professionals and any other party seeking to
determine if radon mitigation is necessary for _____ purposes. - -real estate or non-real
estate
-_____ on any parcel of land can have a radon problem. - -any home
(InterNACHI and AARST) |195 Q’s and A’s
A _____ refers to the series of transformations that a given radionuclide will undergo, as well
as the kind of radiation it emits, which are characteristic of the radionuclide - -decay chain
-_____ are the extremely small particles of which we, and everything around us, are made. -
-atoms
-If one atom were the size of the Houston Astrodome, its nucleus would be roughly the size
of a _____. - -pea
-T/F: The balance of the forces in the nucleus of an atom determines whether a nucleus is
stable or unstable (radioactive). - -true
-As an unstable nucleus emits radiation as it disintegrates, the radionuclide transforms to
different nuclides, and this process is called _____. - -radioactive decay
-_____ is the energy that is released as particles or rays during radioactive decay. - -
radiation
-_____ particles include two protons and two neutrons. - -alpha
-We're really concerned with the _____ particles, because they can be stopped by a sheet of
paper where they release their energy. - -alpha
-Some decay products of radon emit beta particles, but its alpha-emitting decay products
pose a much _____ health risk. - -greater
-_____ photons can pass through many kinds of materials, including human tissue. - -
gamma
-_____ are the source of cell damage in the lungs. - -RDPs (radon decay products)
-T/F: Radon gas tastes like sulphur. - -false
-T/F: If RDPs plate out on a wall, they are a hazard. - -false
-If the radon concentration is 75 pCi/L, and the decay-product concentration is 0.3 WL, the
equilibrium ratio would be calculated as follows: ER = (0.3) x (100) / 75 = _____. - -0.4
-The average indoor radon level is _____ pCi/L. - -1.3
, -If a gallon container held air with 4 pCi/L, there would be about 4 (quarts per gallon)
multiplied by 4 (pCi/L) multiplied by 2.22 disintegrations per minutes, or about _____
disintegrations per minutes of radon atoms in the container. - -35.2
-Radon is the _____ most important cause of lung cancer after smoking in many countries. -
-2nd
-T/F: The World Health Organization (WHO) says radon causes up to 15% of lung cancers
worldwide. - -true
-T/F: There exists a known threshold concentration below which radon exposure presents
no risk. - -false
-T/F: Since alpha particles are more massive and more highly charged than other types of
ionizing radiation, they are more damaging to living tissue. - -true
-T/F: Evidence exists that shows a threshold of exposure below which radon levels are
harmless. - -false
-T/F: Radon is a known human lung carcinogen and is the largest source of radiation
exposure and risk to the general public. - -true
-A difference in _____ between the basement or crawlspace and the surrounding soil draws
radon into the home. - -air pressure
-The objective of a sub-slab or sub-membrane depressurization system is to create a _____
beneath the foundation, which is greater in strength than the vacuum imposed on the soil
by the house itself. - -vacuum
-T/F: Radon gas is approximately seven times heavier than air. - -true
-We estimate that about 1 in _____ homes nationwide have levels at or above the level of 4
pCi/l, the level at which it is recommended to take action to reduce concentrations. - -15
-T/F: You can see, feel, smell, and taste radon. - -false
-This standard of practice specifies procedures and minimum requirements when
measuring radon concentrations in _____ residences for determining if radon mitigation is
necessary to protect current and future occupants. - -single-family
-This standard applies to homeowners, professionals and any other party seeking to
determine if radon mitigation is necessary for _____ purposes. - -real estate or non-real
estate
-_____ on any parcel of land can have a radon problem. - -any home
