The biological effects of radiation are feared by just about everyone, and with some justification. The principal potential damaging effects of radiation exposure run the gamut from cellular disruption to the destruction or altering of genetic material in cells.

Alpha particles are generally the least penetrating type of radiation due to their size and charge. They are typically deflected by skin but may be absorbed into the very top layers if they have sufficient energy. It is possible for them to break some molecules into fragements if they collide with them but their general damaging effect is to ionize molecules by stealing electrons from them to become neutral helium atoms.