Are people and metal objects that become exposed to sealed radiography sources emitting gamma rays considered radioactive?

The assertion that people and metal objects exposed to sealed radiography sources emitting gamma rays are not considered radioactive is accurate. Radioactivity refers specifically to the property of certain materials to emit radiation due to the decay of nuclear particles within them.

In the case of sealed radiography sources, the radioactive material is contained within a protective casing, allowing it to emit gamma rays without contaminating or altering the characteristics of nearby objects or individuals. When people or metal objects come into contact with these sources, they may be exposed to gamma radiation, but they do not themselves become radioactive as a result. They do not have unstable nuclei that decay and emit radiation.

This understanding emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between exposure (which involves being near a radiation source) and radioactivity (which involves the emission of radiation from the material itself). Therefore, while individuals and objects may be exposed to radiation, they do not gain radioactive properties simply due to that exposure.