In terms of radioactive decay particles, which has the greatest risk?

Alpha particles present the greatest risk when it comes to radioactive decay, particularly regarding exposure scenarios. While alpha particles have low penetration power and cannot pass through the skin, their danger arises when they are inhaled or ingested. Once inside the body, alpha particles can cause significant damage to biological tissues due to their mass and charge, leading to a higher likelihood of inducing cellular damage and increasing the risk of cancer.

In contrast, gamma particles, while highly penetrating and capable of passing through the body, tend to deposit less energy in tissue over a given distance, which may result in less localized damage compared to alpha particles. Beta particles, while also capable of causing harm and having greater penetration than alpha particles, generally pose less risk than alpha particles when it comes to internal exposure. Neutrons, while highly penetrating and capable of causing significant damage, are less commonly encountered in typical radon exposure scenarios, making them less relevant in this specific context.

Overall, the risk associated with exposure to radioactivity is greatly influenced by the type of radiation, its ability to penetrate tissues, and the pathways through which it can enter the body. Alpha particles, when internalized, represent a unique and severe risk due to their high ionizing ability and damage potential.