RADON MEASUREMENT PROFESSIONAL EXAM (INTERNACHI AND AARST)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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 - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅decay chain
_____ are the extremely small particles of which we, and everything around us, are made. - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅atoms
If one atom were the size of the Houston Astrodome, its nucleus would be roughly the size of a _____. -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅pea
T/F: The balance of the forces in the nucleus of an atom determines whether a nucleus is stable or
unstable (radioactive). - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅true
As an unstable nucleus emits radiation as it disintegrates, the radionuclide transforms to different
nuclides, and this process is called _____. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅radioactive decay
_____ is the energy that is released as particles or rays during radioactive decay. - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅radiation
_____ particles include two protons and two neutrons. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅alpha
We're really concerned with the _____ particles, because they can be stopped by a sheet of paper
where they release their energy. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅alpha
Some decay products of radon emit beta particles, but its alpha-emitting decay products pose a much
_____ health risk. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅greater
_____ photons can pass through many kinds of materials, including human tissue. - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅gamma
,_____ are the source of cell damage in the lungs. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅RDPs (radon decay products)
T/F: Radon gas tastes like sulphur. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅false
T/F: If RDPs plate out on a wall, they are a hazard. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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 = _____. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅0.4
The average indoor radon level is _____ pCi/L. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅35.2
Radon is the _____ most important cause of lung cancer after smoking in many countries. - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅2nd
T/F: The World Health Organization (WHO) says radon causes up to 15% of lung cancers worldwide. -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅true
T/F: There exists a known threshold concentration below which radon exposure presents no risk. -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅true
T/F: Evidence exists that shows a threshold of exposure below which radon levels are harmless. -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅false
, T/F: Radon is a known human lung carcinogen and is the largest source of radiation exposure and risk to
the general public. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅true
A difference in _____ between the basement or crawlspace and the surrounding soil draws radon into
the home. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅vacuum
T/F: Radon gas is approximately seven times heavier than air. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅15
T/F: You can see, feel, smell, and taste radon. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅single-family
This standard applies to homeowners, professionals and any other party seeking to determine if radon
mitigation is necessary for _____ purposes. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅real estate or non-real estate
_____ on any parcel of land can have a radon problem. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅any home
_____ is the only way to know if there's a radon problem in a house. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅testing
T/F: New homes do NOT need to be tested. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅false
T/F: Every home should be tested to include new and old homes. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅true
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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 - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅decay chain
_____ are the extremely small particles of which we, and everything around us, are made. - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅atoms
If one atom were the size of the Houston Astrodome, its nucleus would be roughly the size of a _____. -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅pea
T/F: The balance of the forces in the nucleus of an atom determines whether a nucleus is stable or
unstable (radioactive). - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅true
As an unstable nucleus emits radiation as it disintegrates, the radionuclide transforms to different
nuclides, and this process is called _____. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅radioactive decay
_____ is the energy that is released as particles or rays during radioactive decay. - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅radiation
_____ particles include two protons and two neutrons. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅alpha
We're really concerned with the _____ particles, because they can be stopped by a sheet of paper
where they release their energy. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅alpha
Some decay products of radon emit beta particles, but its alpha-emitting decay products pose a much
_____ health risk. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅greater
_____ photons can pass through many kinds of materials, including human tissue. - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅gamma
,_____ are the source of cell damage in the lungs. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅RDPs (radon decay products)
T/F: Radon gas tastes like sulphur. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅false
T/F: If RDPs plate out on a wall, they are a hazard. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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 = _____. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅0.4
The average indoor radon level is _____ pCi/L. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅35.2
Radon is the _____ most important cause of lung cancer after smoking in many countries. - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅2nd
T/F: The World Health Organization (WHO) says radon causes up to 15% of lung cancers worldwide. -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅true
T/F: There exists a known threshold concentration below which radon exposure presents no risk. -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅true
T/F: Evidence exists that shows a threshold of exposure below which radon levels are harmless. -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅false
, T/F: Radon is a known human lung carcinogen and is the largest source of radiation exposure and risk to
the general public. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅true
A difference in _____ between the basement or crawlspace and the surrounding soil draws radon into
the home. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. -
CORRECT ANSWER✅✅vacuum
T/F: Radon gas is approximately seven times heavier than air. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅15
T/F: You can see, feel, smell, and taste radon. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅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. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅single-family
This standard applies to homeowners, professionals and any other party seeking to determine if radon
mitigation is necessary for _____ purposes. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅real estate or non-real estate
_____ on any parcel of land can have a radon problem. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅any home
_____ is the only way to know if there's a radon problem in a house. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅testing
T/F: New homes do NOT need to be tested. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅false
T/F: Every home should be tested to include new and old homes. - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅true
