Table 6.

Radiation particle and effect on skin [11]

Particle type	Penetration	Effect on skin
Alpha	Large amount of ionization, but minimal skin penetration	Not able to penetrate stratum corneum when emitted
Beta	Greater penetration than alpha particle, but less ionization	Shallow penetration of skin
Gamma	Low ionization, but high penetration	More penetration in skin with damage inversely proportional to the energy
X-ray	Similar to Gamma ray; longer wave length providing more penetration	Effect on skin is proportional to energy of X-ray
Neutron	High penetration due to size and neutral charge	Can be lethal; high energy transfer destroying basal layer of skin leading to necrosis