Alpha radiation is low penetrating. It usually is not able to penetrate clothing or human skin.
It can be harmful if the alpha particles are inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through open wounds.
Alpha radiation does not represent an external hazard. It travels only a short distance in the air (a few centimetres).
Some alpha radiation emitters include:
- Radium-223
- Radon-222
- Thorium-228
- Uranium-238