Are all types of radiation equally dangerous?
No. Alpha radiation is about 20 times more dangerous than beta radiation and gamma radiation. That is, a given amount of alpha radiation causes about 20 times as much damage to cells in the body, compared with the same amount of beta and gamma radiation. This is because alpha particles are heavy and carry a bigger electrical charge than beta particles and gamma rays. This in part explains why isotopes of plutonium are so dangerous, as most of then ones in common use are alpha emitters.
