In the context of radiation safety, what does 'distance' mean?

In the context of radiation safety, 'distance' primarily refers to the proximity of personnel to the radiation source. This concept is crucial because the intensity of radiation exposure decreases significantly with an increase in distance from the source, according to the inverse square law. The farther individuals are from the radiation source, the lower their exposure will be, which directly reduces the risk of harm from radiation.

Implementing strategies that maximize distance is a fundamental principle of radiation protection, as it effectively minimizes the dose received by workers or anyone in the vicinity. Thus, understanding and applying the correct measures regarding distance is essential for maintaining safety in environments where radiation is present.