Page 211 - Radiation Safety

Particulate : Alpha ( )

2+
• Helium nucleus (He ), high E (> 4 MeV), discrete E

e.g. 210 84 Po → 4 2 He + 206 82 Pb

• Short range (high mass and charge) - few cm in air

• Not an external hazard but an important internal hazard

226
•  emitters: Ra, 241 Am, 239 Pu

4
238 U → 234 Th + He

47