Alpha particles are primarily associated with what type of risk?

Alpha particles are primarily associated with inhalation risks due to their physical properties and behavior when released into the environment.

When alpha-emitting materials are inhaled, they can pose a significant health risk because alpha particles have a high mass and positive charge, which allows them to cause substantial damage to biological tissues at a cellular level. Although alpha particles cannot penetrate the skin and therefore present minimal risk in external exposure, their potential to cause harm when inhaled is significant. Once inside the body, they can deposit energy directly into sensitive organs and tissues, leading to biological damage and increasing the risk of conditions such as cancer.

While surface contamination can also be a concern, the most critical risk associated with alpha particles arises from their ability to be inhaled and the resultant internal exposure, which is much more hazardous than external contact or contamination that remains outside the body.