Which of the following is a potential effect of deterministic radiation exposure?

Deterministic radiation effects are known to occur with a certain threshold dose of radiation, meaning that they manifest only when the exposure exceeds this threshold. Acute radiation syndrome (ARS) is one of the most well-documented effects of such high-dose exposure. ARS results from a significant amount of ionizing radiation in a short period, leading to immediate biological damage, which can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and a range of other health issues depending on the dose received.

The clarity of ARS as a deterministic effect lies in the fact that it typically has a predictable outcome based on the dose of radiation. If the dose is high enough, the symptoms are almost certain to occur, which exemplifies the deterministic nature of this kind of radiation exposure. This aspect of ARS differentiates it from stochastic effects, such as cancer or genetic mutations, where the risk is probabilistic and does not have a clear threshold. Therefore, understanding that ARS is a direct consequence of deterministic exposure helps in grasping the severe implications of high radiation doses in scenarios of radiation accidents or therapeutic interventions.