In high-speed paper manufacturing, static eliminator bars containing polonium-210 (an active alpha (α\alphaα) emitter) are installed to neutralise electrostatic charge on paper webs. The bars are located inside the machinery housing, and operators work at a control desk approximately 1.5 m away.
State one reason why the alpha radiation emitted from these bars does not pose an external health hazard to the operators.
94 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Physics 6.5 Uses and dangers of radioactivity. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.