Reply #77: AngryAmish is right, [View All]

[cambie]

external Alpha particles don’t penetrate the top layer of skin, they don’t even travel more than a few inches in air. However a little further reading reveals:

“Alpha particles create a high concentration of ions along their path, and can cause severe damage to internal organs and tissues when they are inhaled, ingested or are present on the skin. Once these particles get into the body, damage can occur since there is no protective dead skin layer to shield the organs and tissues. Internal exposures are not limited to the intake of large amounts at one time (acute exposure). Chronic exposure may arise from an accumulation of small amounts of radioactive materials over a long period of time.”


http://www.orcbs.msu.edu/radiation/programs_guidelines/radmanual/16rm_exposure.htm