Which of the following is NOT a long-term effect of radiation?

Which of the following is NOT a long-term effect of radiation?

• A. Heart and kidney issues
• B. Cancer risk
• C. Cataracts
• D. Genetic mutations

Answer: (A)

Ionizing radiation can cause damage that becomes evident long after exposure. The most common late effects taught for welding-related radiation are cancer risk, cataracts, and genetic mutations. Cancer risk comes from DNA damage that can initiate cancer years later; cataracts form from radiation damage to the eye’s lens over time; genetic mutations can be passed on if germ cells are affected. Heart and kidney issues, on the other hand, aren’t typically listed as the classic long-term radiation effects in welding safety materials, so they are identified as not being a long-term effect in this context.

Ionizing radiation can cause damage that becomes evident long after exposure. The most common late effects taught for welding-related radiation are cancer risk, cataracts, and genetic mutations. Cancer risk comes from DNA damage that can initiate cancer years later; cataracts form from radiation damage to the eye’s lens over time; genetic mutations can be passed on if germ cells are affected.

Heart and kidney issues, on the other hand, aren’t typically listed as the classic long-term radiation effects in welding safety materials, so they are identified as not being a long-term effect in this context.