Which type of radiation can cause internal organ damage if ingested or inhaled?

Alpha radiation is the correct type of radiation that can cause significant internal organ damage if ingested or inhaled. This is primarily due to its nature; alpha particles are heavy and carry a double positive charge, which means they have a relatively short range in air and cannot penetrate the outer layer of human skin. However, if alpha-emitting materials are ingested or inhaled, they can cause substantial damage to internal tissues and organs because they release a large amount of energy over a very short distance as they interact with matter.

When alpha particles interact with biological tissues, they can produce significant ionization in localized areas, leading to cellular damage and potentially causing cancer or other health issues. Unlike beta radiation and gamma radiation, which have different penetrating abilities, alpha radiation poses the greatest risk when internal exposure occurs due to its high mass and charge that leads to intense localized damage.

Thus, the specific characteristics of alpha radiation make it particularly dangerous when it enters the body, highlighting the importance of precautions when handling alpha-emitting substances.