What type of radiation exposure is primarily attributed to radon gas?

Radon gas primarily poses a risk through internal exposure because it can enter buildings and accumulate in indoor air, particularly in basements and other enclosed spaces. When inhaled, radon decays into radioactive particles that can damage lung tissue. This decay process contributes to health risks, such as lung cancer, over time. It is the inhalation of these radioactive decay products that leads to internal exposure, which is significant because it directly affects the body's internal organs.

Other types of radiation exposure, such as external exposure, usually involve sources that emit radiation from outside the body, impacting individuals without requiring inhalation or ingestion. Acute exposure indicates a high level of radiation over a short period, which is not characteristic of radon as it presents risks that accumulate over time rather than instantly. Chronic exposure often refers to low doses over an extended duration, but in the context of radon, the most direct and harmful exposure route is through inhalation, making internal exposure the most accurate description.