Which practice can reduce cumulative radiation exposure?

The practice of increasing the distance from the radiation source is effective in reducing cumulative radiation exposure due to the principles of radiation physics, specifically the inverse square law. This law states that the intensity of radiation exposure decreases with the square of the distance from the source. Therefore, by increasing the distance, you significantly reduce the amount of radiation that reaches an individual or an area. For example, if you double your distance from a radiation source, the exposure will be reduced to a quarter of what it would have been at the original distance.

In scenarios where radiation is present, maintaining or increasing distance is a crucial method for minimizing risk. It helps in protecting individuals from unnecessary exposure, thereby contributing to lower cumulative doses over time. This principle is widely applied in medical imaging, industrial radiography, and various other fields where radiation is utilized.

Other practices, like reducing the duration of exposure, can also effectively minimize radiation exposure, but increasing distance has a more pronounced effect on intensity based on the geometric distribution of radiation. Minimizing protective barriers and using higher dose scans, on the other hand, can lead to increased exposure rather than reducing it.