# Explain why radioactive contamination is considered more hazardous than irradiation when a person is exposed to the same radioactive source.

> AQA GCSE Physics (8463) — 4.4.3 Hazards and uses of radioactive emissions and of background radiation (Phys only) · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Contamination involves radioactive atoms being transferred onto or into the body / unwanted presence of radioactive atoms on other materials
2. The contaminating atoms continue to decay / emit radiation from on or inside the body for a prolonged period of time
3. Irradiation only exposes the object to radiation whilst the source is present / the exposure stops when the source is removed
4. Therefore contamination causes greater / longer-lasting damage to the body / is more difficult to control or remove

## Key terms

- [radioactive contamination](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/radioactive-contamination)
- [irradiation](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/irradiation)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Physics (8463)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-radioactive-contamination-is-considered-ea991459) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.