Figure 3.

Visualization of DNA damage induction patterns of beta-emitters, alpha-emitters and Auger electrons, ordered (from left to right) by decreasing penetration range and increasing complexity of induced DNA damage. While beta-emitters exhibit a relatively long penetration range, they mostly induce isolated lesions. Alpha-emitters have a shorter range, but can locally induce more complex forms of DNA damage that are less readily repaired. Auger electrons display the shortest range of the three, but due to the fact that multiple electrons are released from the radionuclide they can still induce a high biological effect locally.