I'm reading some papers for the first generation sequencing methods and some earlier than them, like Ray's Wu first time DNA sequencing from a λ phage virus cohesive 5' ends. Ray Wu, like Maxam-Gilbert and Sanger, used 32P / 3H to label either dNTPs or DNA molecules.
But what happens if you add such radioactive materials inside a test tube with DNA and other molecules like DNA Pol I? For example, 32P emits electrons at 1.709 MeV. Couldn't these high energy electrons harm the DNA or Pol I molecules (bonding destruction), that are present nearby at the time of reaction?