What type of radiation exposure can lead to deterministic effects?

Deterministic effects of radiation are dose-dependent and typically occur after high levels of exposure. The term "deterministic" implies that the severity of the effect increases with the dose received, and there is a threshold dose below which these effects do not occur. High-level radiation exposure can cause immediate effects that can be severe, such as skin burns, radiation sickness, and damage to internal organs.

Immediate onset of effects is particularly indicative of deterministic consequences, as they are not random in occurrence but rather predictable based on the level of exposure and the biological response of the individual. Hence, high-level exposure is a critical factor in leading to such deterministic effects, as lower levels or less acute exposures generally do not result in these immediate and severe outcomes.

In contrast, low-level exposures over long periods may lead to other types of effects but are typically more associated with stochastic effects, which arise from cumulative low doses over time and are characterized by their probabilistic nature rather than a certainty of occurrence. Stochastic effects are not dependent on the dose severity in a straightforward manner and thus do not fit the characteristics of deterministic effects. Similarly, natural background radiation usually exposes individuals to low doses that also incline towards potential stochastic effects if accumulated over time.