Direct versus Indirect Ionization

Direct or indirect ionization can cause cell damage. (Figure 1). Direct ionization occurs when charged particles, e.g., electrons, with sufficient kinetic energy, interact with cellular atoms or molecules to create free radicals.^4,6,10,11 The process is known as direct because the interaction occurs directly between a particle and a cellular component without an intermediary step. The charged particle can continue interacting with other molecules until all its kinetic energy is lost.

Figure 1. Cell damage can be caused by direct or indirect ionization.

Figure 1. Cell damage can be caused by direct or indirect ionization.

Indirect ionization occurs when non-charged particles, e.g., photons, interact with cellular water. The energy absorbed by an H2O molecule will form ion pairs and reactive oxygen metabolites such as hydroxyl radicals. ^4,6,11 These free radicals interact with cellular atoms and molecules, damaging cellular proteins, and may form additional free radicals.^2,4,6,10,11 The process is indirect because of the intermediate step of H2O-based free radical formation.