What should you do if you find a damaged radioactive source?

If you find a damaged radioactive source, the appropriate action is to control the area and notify radiation safety personnel. This response is critical for ensuring the safety of yourself and others, as well as managing the potential hazard the damaged source poses.

Controlling the area helps to prevent unauthorized access and minimizes the risk of exposure to radiation while effective assistance can be arranged. Reporting the situation to radiation safety personnel ensures that trained professionals can assess and address the issue appropriately, utilizing their expertise and equipment to safely handle radioactive materials.

Addressing what the other options present: ignoring the situation could lead to increased exposure or contamination, handling it without proper training could result in serious health risks, and reporting it only if it's emitting radiation fails to recognize that a damaged source should be treated seriously regardless of its immediate radioactivity levels.