Which two factors are identified as affecting an individual's sensitivity to ionizing radiation?

Which two factors are identified as affecting an individual's sensitivity to ionizing radiation?

• A. BMI and Age
• B. Ethnicity and National Origin
• C. Skin Pigment and BMI
• D. Age and Biological Sex

Answer: (D)

Age and biological sex influence how sensitive a person is to ionizing radiation. Younger individuals have developing tissues with cells that divide more rapidly, which makes them more susceptible to radiation-induced damage and increases the lifetime risk of stochastic effects like cancer per unit dose. The difference between sexes comes from tissue composition and hormonal factors; certain tissues—such as breast tissue in women and reproductive organs—are more radiosensitive, leading to different risk profiles between men and women. Other factors like BMI, skin pigment, or ethnicity don’t consistently define an individual’s intrinsic radiobiological sensitivity in the same way age and sex do, even though they may affect dose distribution or exposure in specific scenarios.

Age and biological sex influence how sensitive a person is to ionizing radiation. Younger individuals have developing tissues with cells that divide more rapidly, which makes them more susceptible to radiation-induced damage and increases the lifetime risk of stochastic effects like cancer per unit dose. The difference between sexes comes from tissue composition and hormonal factors; certain tissues—such as breast tissue in women and reproductive organs—are more radiosensitive, leading to different risk profiles between men and women. Other factors like BMI, skin pigment, or ethnicity don’t consistently define an individual’s intrinsic radiobiological sensitivity in the same way age and sex do, even though they may affect dose distribution or exposure in specific scenarios.