Radiation harm can be classified into which two categories?

Radiation harm is categorized into stochastic and deterministic effects based on the nature of the biological damage caused by exposure.

Stochastic effects are those that occur randomly and are typically associated with lower doses of radiation over time. They are characterized by the probability of occurrence increasing with dose, but the severity of the effect is not dose-dependent. Cancer and genetic mutations are prime examples of stochastic effects; even a small amount of exposure can potentially contribute to these outcomes, but they may not become apparent until years after exposure.

Deterministic effects, on the other hand, have a clear threshold dose below which the effects do not occur. These effects are directly related to the dose received and their severity increases with higher exposure levels. Examples include skin burns and radiation sickness, which manifest shortly after high levels of exposure. Understanding this distinction is crucial for radiation protection and dosage planning, as it informs how doses are administered and the necessary precautions.

The other classifications—immediate or delayed effects, external and internal effects, and acute and chronic effects—do not encompass the core biological principles that govern radiation damage, making them less useful for a comprehensive understanding of radiation harm. Thus, the classification into stochastic and deterministic effects is the most fundamental and widely used in radiation safety and medical dosim