What is a primary safety concern associated with exposure to gamma radiation?

Gamma radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation that is highly penetrating. One of the primary safety concerns associated with exposure to gamma radiation is its ability to pass through most materials, making it more challenging to shield compared to other types of radiation, such as alpha and beta particles.

Lead is commonly used as a shielding material because of its density and effectiveness in absorbing gamma rays. This necessity for heavy shielding emphasizes the serious risk posed by gamma radiation in terms of potential exposure to internal organs and deeper tissues within the body, rather than being limited to just the surface, which could result from less penetrating radiation such as alpha particles.

The other options highlight misunderstandings about gamma radiation. For instance, gamma rays are not easily shielded with lightweight materials like paper, nor do they only affect skin tissue as they can penetrate deeper tissues. Additionally, gamma radiation is significantly more penetrating than alpha particles, which do not have the same ability to traverse materials or tissue. Understanding this characteristic is crucial for ensuring safety in environments where gamma radiation may be present.