What particles are responsible for the most damage to lung tissue when radon is inhaled?

When radon gas is inhaled, it decays and emits alpha particles. Alpha particles are particularly damaging to lung tissue due to their high mass and energy. When these particles collide with biological tissue, they can cause ionization—removing electrons from atoms and leading to cellular damage, mutations, and potential cancer development. The biological interactions of alpha particles are significant despite their limited range; they can inflict considerable damage in the localized area where they deposit their energy, particularly in the sensitive lung tissue.

While gamma particles and beta particles can also pose risks, they are generally less damaging than alpha particles when considering their biological effect on lung tissue. Gamma radiation has a lower ionization potential and tends to pass through the body rather than interact closely with biological tissues. Neutrons, although energetic and capable of causing damage in certain contexts, are not the primary concern when it comes to radon exposure. Thus, alpha particles are identified as the main culprits for lung tissue damage from inhaled radon.