What type of particles do Radon Decay Products (RDPs) release that cause lung damage?

Radon decay products (RDPs) primarily release alpha particles as they undergo radioactive decay. Alpha particles are heavy subatomic particles that consist of two protons and two neutrons. When inhaled, these alpha-emitting RDPs can deposit their energy in the tissues of the lungs, causing ionization and potentially leading to cellular damage. This damage can increase the risk of lung cancer over prolonged exposure to radon and its decay products.

In contrast, beta particles and gamma radiation have different properties and modes of interaction. Beta particles can penetrate tissues and are more associated with different forms of radiation exposure, while gamma radiation tends to pass through the body with less interaction and is less likely to cause localized damage in lung tissue. X-rays, similar to gamma rays, are high-energy electromagnetic radiation that is generally less impactful at the cellular level for lung damage than alpha particles emitted by radon decay products. Thus, the primary concern with radon exposure and lung damage stems from the alpha particles released from its decay products.