North Carolina EMT-Basic (EMT-B) State Practice Exam

Neutron radiation is considered the most lethal type of radiation due to its high energy and unique interaction with matter. Neutrons are neutral particles, which allows them to penetrate materials without being deflected by electric charges, making them particularly effective at disrupting atomic structures. When neutron radiation interacts with tissue, it can cause significant biological damage by inducing secondary radiation effects in the cells.

The high energy of neutrons can lead to more severe cellular and molecular damage compared to alpha or beta radiation, which have less penetrating power and tend to interact with materials through ionization. Gamma radiation is also highly penetrating but generally affects biological tissues through the ionization of atoms rather than causing direct impact like neutrons. In contexts involving radiation exposure, neutrons can cause severe health effects, including acute radiation syndrome and increased cancer risk, making them particularly lethal in scenarios of exposure.