During radium therapy, medical personnel can become unnecessarily exposed while handling which item?

The source needle is the specific item that poses a risk of unnecessary exposure during radium therapy. This needle is used to deliver radium directly to the treatment site within a patient's body. Due to its direct contact with the radioactive material, medical personnel must handle it with extreme care to minimize exposure.

When dealing with a source needle, close attention to safety protocols is crucial. Medical personnel must ensure that they are using appropriate protective measures and techniques when handling this item to prevent contamination and exposure to radiation. The risk primarily comes from the radioactive material that the needle contains, making it essential for staff to be trained in safe handling procedures.

While other items like therapy equipment and radium storage containers can also involve safety considerations, they do not typically carry the same direct exposure risk as the source needle itself. Protective gear, on the other hand, is designed to protect personnel from exposure and is not a source of risk in terms of exposure itself. Therefore, the source needle is critical in discussions about radiation safety related to radium therapy.