In radiation protection, what does the term 'attenuate' refer to?

Attenuate refers to the process of reducing the intensity of radiation as it passes through a material. This reduction can occur due to scattering, absorption, or a combination of both, depending on the material used. In the context of radiation protection, attenuation is crucial because it helps to decrease the amount of radiation that reaches individuals, thereby minimizing their exposure to harmful radiation.

For example, lead shields are commonly used to attenuate X-rays and gamma rays because lead effectively absorbs and scatters these types of radiation, protecting personnel from potential harm. Understanding how materials can attenuate radiation is vital in designing safety measures and ensuring adherence to regulatory guidelines aimed at protecting workers in environments where they may encounter radiation.

The other options do not align with the definition of attenuation. Increasing radiation intensity would contradict the concept, as would measuring exposure, which pertains to detecting and quantifying radiation rather than modifying its intensity.