Alpha Radiation Effects

An alpha particle contains two protons and two neutrons. The protons give the alpha particle a positive 2 charge. An alpha particle is emitted from an atom in certain elements because the nucleus of the atom contains too few neutrons and is therefore unstable. The alpha particle emitted is relatively heavy and travels at approximately one-twentieth the speed of light. The particles don’t travel very far and can be stopped by paper or outer layers of skin. However, if the alpha particles are ingested, inhaled or absorbed into the bloodstreams of humans or animals, the particles can cause tremendous damage because of their large size.

Fatigue, Diarrhea and Nausea

• These generalized symptoms are some of the first indications of alpha radiation exposure.

Hair Loss and Skin Reddening

• A high dose of alpha radiation delivered to the skin but not ingested or inhaled can cause loss of hair or reddening of the skin.

Cataracts

• Radiation delivered to the lens of the eye can cause cataracts. The cataracts can take many years to develop.

Lung Cancers

• Inhaled alpha particles are very damaging to lungs because lung tissue is soft. The damage to lung tissue leads to lung cancer.

Bone and Head Cancers

• People exposed to ingested or injected radium-226 are prone to head and bone cancers.

Bladder Cancer

• Alpha particles in the bloodstream, specifically from polonium-210, can result in bladder cancer.

Chromosomal Damage

• The New World Encyclopedia estimates that chromosomal damage from alpha particles is about 100 times greater than that caused by an equivalent amount of other radiation.

Warning

• The type and extent of damage from alpha radiation depends on the dose or amount of radiation a person is exposed to.