True or False: Alpha particles are easily absorbable.

Prepare for the NEHA Environmental Health and Safety Exam. Enhance your knowledge with flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Ensure your success!

Alpha particles are indeed easily absorbable due to their characteristics. They are relatively heavy compared to other types of radiation, such as beta particles or gamma rays, and they carry a positive charge. Because of their mass and charge, alpha particles have a limited range and can be stopped by a sheet of paper or even the outer layer of human skin. This means that they cannot penetrate deeply into material or living organisms.

In the context of environmental health and safety, this property is crucial. While alpha particles can be harmful if ingested or inhaled, their inability to penetrate the skin means that they are less of a concern in terms of external exposure. This property highlights the importance of understanding how different types of radiation interact with matter, especially when assessing risks in various environments.

Thus, the statement that alpha particles are easily absorbable is accurate, reflecting their limited penetrative ability.

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