Types of Ionizing Radiation

There are many types of ionizing radiation. However, the following are the most common:

• Alpha particles: Do not travel far; pose little threat to the body since they are not absorbed through the skin (but are very harmful if swallowed). Examples include radium and plutonium.
• Beta particles: Travel farther than alpha particles; can penetrate the skin by a few centimeters but can easily be protected with plastic or thick paper.
• Neutron radiation: Particles have a larger mass and can travel hundreds or even thousands of meters in the air; extremely dangerous as they can bypass the protective outer layer of the skin and deposit their energy, causing ionization (but can be stopped by a hydrogen-rich material, such as concrete or water).
• Gamma rays and X-rays: Energy waves that travel at the speed of light; consist of photons rather than particles. Photons have no mass or charge and travel in straight lines. Gamma rays originate from the nucleus of an atom, while X-rays come from the electron cloud; both gamma rays and X-rays can penetrate deeply into the human body (but can be effectively blocked by lead or other heavy materials).

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