![]() ![]() Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) webpage on Health Effects of Radiation: Health Effects Depend on the Dose lists factors influencing possible health effects from a radiation dose, including: Genetic effects (e.g., mutations that can be transmitted to offspring).Cancer (e.g., leukemia or solid tumors).Note that the health effect may not be observed for many years (i.e., latency period). Stochastic health effects can develop from radiation doses over a short period of time or long period of time (such as a working lifetime). Skin reddening (erythema) (threshold dose for erythema is Cataracts, detectable lens opacities (for detectable eye lens opacities, the threshold dose is 50 rad (0.5 Gy) to lens of eye) 2.Temporary or permanent sterility (for men, temporary sterility can occur at doses at or above 15 rad (0.15 Gy) to testes in brief single exposure) 1.Severity of the effect does not depend on the dose.Īll-or-none response an individual either develops the health effect or does not develop the effect.ĭeterministic health effects develop after a threshold dose is reached.Įxamples of deterministic health effects: The greater the dose, the greater the severity of the effect. The greater the dose, the greater the probability of the effect occurring. A single DNA mutation can lead to the effect.Įffect occurs when dose is above threshold. Stochastic effects are assumed to have no threshold dose. Comparison of Deterministic and Stochastic Health Effectsĭeterministic effects generally have a threshold dose below which the effect does not occur. The table below summarizes the differences between deterministic and stochastic effects. Although it may not accurately describe all stochastic health effects, they are sometimes described as "long-term" health effects. This is the reason that no level of radiation dose is considered to be completely "safe" and why doses should always be kept as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). Stochastic health effects are assumed not to have a threshold dose below which they do not occur. Cancer is the main stochastic effect that can result from radiation dose, often many years following the exposure. The probability of the effect occurring in a population increases with the dose received, and the severity of the effect does not depend on the dose. Stochastic effects occur by statistical chance. Although it may not accurately describe all deterministic health effects, they are sometimes described as "short-term" health effects. ![]() Skin reddening (erythema) is an example of a deterministic effect with a threshold dose of approximately 300 rad (3 Gy). The severity of the effect increases with the dose. ![]() Deterministic effects occur after a threshold dose is reached, meaning at dose below the threshold are not expected to cause the particular effect. Health effects from radiation doses can be grouped into two categories: deterministic and stochastic. If not properly repaired, this damage can result in the death of the cell or potentially harmful changes in the DNA (i.e., mutations). When ionizing radiation interacts with cells, it can cause damage to the cells and genetic material (i.e., deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA). More information about external dose and internal dose is provided on the Hazard Recognition page. Information about chronic and acute radiation doses is provided on the Background page. Contaminated with radioactive materials.In close proximity to surfaces or areas contaminated with radioactive materials (e.g., from small spills or leaks).Unprotected when handling radioactive materials (e.g., radionuclides).Unprotected when near unshielded radiation-generating machines (e.g., X-ray machine, accelerator, etc.) in operation.In close proximity to an unshielded or partially shielded radiation source.In general, radiation dose is received when a worker is: Radiation dose depends on the duration of exposure, the amount of radiation generated from the radiation source, the distance from the radiation source, and the amount and type of shielding in place. The health effects of radiation dose depend on the type of radiation emitted, the radiation dose received by a worker, and the parts of the body that are exposed, among other factors. Workers may be exposed to ionizing radiation in several ways, depending on their job tasks. See the Overview page for examples of ionizing radiation in occupational settings. It focuses on health effects associated with the radiation doses that workers may receive on a routine basis. This section provides information about health effects associated with ionizing radiation. ![]()
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