Which type of radiation is typically used in radiological dispersal incidents?

In radiological dispersal incidents, gamma rays are typically the type of radiation involved because they are highly penetrating and can travel significant distances through air and even through materials such as human tissue and concrete. This characteristic makes gamma rays particularly concerning in a dispersal scenario, where the goal may be to spread radioactive materials over a wide area, thereby exposing more people to radiation.

Gamma rays are emitted from radioactive materials during decay processes and can lead to serious health effects due to their ability to penetrate deeply into the body, causing tissue damage and increasing the risk of cancer. Their pervasive reach plays a crucial role in emergency response planning, as responders must account for the potential widespread impact of gamma radiation on unaffected populations.

In contrast, while alpha particles and beta particles are also forms of radiation that can be released during such incidents, they have different properties. Alpha particles are less penetrating and can be stopped by a sheet of paper or the outer layer of human skin, making them less critical in terms of air dispersion. Beta particles can penetrate skin but are still limited in their range, posing a greater risk when ingested or absorbed, rather than through environmental dispersion.

X-rays, though similar in nature to gamma rays, typically result from electronic transitions rather than nuclear decay and