Which particles cause physical and chemical damage to DNA in the lungs?

Alpha particles, especially those from the decay of radon and its progeny such as Polonium-218 and Polonium-214, are highly ionizing and have a significant impact on biological tissues. When alpha particles are inhaled, they can interact directly with the DNA in lung cells, causing physical damage by disrupting molecular bonds and leading to potential mutations. This direct interaction is particularly damaging because alpha particles can induce double-strand breaks in the DNA, which can result in significant genetic alterations if not repaired properly.

The lung tissue is especially vulnerable because the inhalation of radon gas and its short-lived decay products can lead to an accumulation of these harmful alpha-emitting substances within the respiratory system. This explains why lung cancer risk is associated with radon exposure, highlighting the importance of recognizing the dangers posed by alpha particles emitted from radon decay in indoor environments.

While other particles and radiation types (such as beta particles, gamma rays, and neutrons) can also cause damage to biological tissues, their mechanisms and the contexts in which they pose a risk differ significantly from those of alpha particles. Beta particles, for instance, are less ionizing and generally require closer interaction at the cellular level to cause similar damage, while gamma rays are more penetrating and CAN