# Choose a Safety Investigation

Part of the Nuclear Science Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/nuclear-science/guide/index.md)

*5. Radiation Protection*

> **5.** Do ONE of the following:

You must choose exactly one option from this requirement. Each one teaches radiation safety, but from a different angle.

## Your Options

- **[Req 5a — Time, Distance, and Shielding](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/nuclear-science/guide/req5a/)**: Use instruments and materials to see how dose rate changes with setup and protection.
- **[Req 5b — Radon at Home](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/nuclear-science/guide/req5b/)**: Study a real household radiation issue that affects indoor air quality and long-term health.
- **[Req 5c — X-Ray Room Safety](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/nuclear-science/guide/req5c/)**: Visit a place that uses X-rays and learn how room design protects workers and patients.

## How to Choose

**Choosing your safety investigation** — Match the option to your access and interests

- [ ] **Best for hands-on measurement**: 5a if your counselor has access to a survey meter and approved source.
- [ ] **Best for home and community relevance**: 5b if you want to study a hazard that many families can actually test for.
- [ ] **Best for medical imaging interest**: 5c if you can visit a clinic, dentist office, or hospital imaging area.
- [ ] **What you will gain**: 5a teaches direct control of dose, 5b teaches environmental health, and 5c teaches engineering controls and workplace safety.

> **Tip**
>
> If you hope to work in medicine, engineering, or health physics someday, this requirement can give you an early look at the field that interests you most. Pick the option that gets you the clearest real-world conversation with your counselor.

Whichever option you choose, keep using the same safety mindset from Req 1: understand the setup, follow procedures, and think in terms of time, distance, and shielding.

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