The present status of atomistic interpretations of radiation damage in metals is reviewed. Detailed consideration is si given to radiation effects and associated lattice delect phenomena in copper, since copper has received the most extensive experimental and theoretical study. The various mechanisms of defect production are presented and models lor point delect recovery are considered. The case ol radiation hardening is then concluded to he principally due to more extended radiation-induced defects such as displacement spikes. Finally a particular radiation damage problem, fuel swelling, is discussed with emphasis on its lattice defect implications.