What type of cancer is radium exposure most associated with?

Prepare for the Certified Industrial Hygienist Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Ensure your success on your exam!

Radium exposure is most commonly associated with osteogenic sarcoma, which is a type of bone cancer. This association arises because radium, being a radioactive element, tends to concentrate in the bones after it is ingested or inhaled. The radiation emitted by radium can cause cellular damage and mutations, leading to the development of cancer within bone tissue. Occupational exposure, particularly among workers in industries such as radium dial painting or in early radiology, has shown higher incidences of osteogenic sarcoma linked to radium exposure.

While other types of cancers are influenced by various environmental factors, osteogenic sarcoma has a specific and well-documented relationship with radium, making it the most relevant choice in this context. Other options like breast cancer, lung cancer, and skin cancer do not have a direct link to radium exposure in the way osteogenic sarcoma does, which is why they are less appropriate answers for this question.

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