Radiobiology and the Classification of Biological Effects

Stochastic Effects

  • Stochastic Effects 1
  • Stochastic Effects 2
  • Stochastic Effects 3
  • Stochastic Effects 4
  • Stochastic Effects 5

In the human body many millions of ion pairs (electrically charged particles originating from the breaking-up of molecules) are created in the DNA each year from exposure to natural background radiation.

However, very few cancer deaths are attributable to this exposure. Therefore the electro-chemical, chemical, and biological processes resulting from the creation of an ion pair to a modified cell must very rarely be completed. A group of cells which are damaged or modified, for whatever reason, may in most cases be isolated and destroyed by the body's defence mechanisms.

However, if the group is allowed to develop, a malignant condition may be reached in which the production of modified cells is uncontrolled. This occurs after a delay of variable length called the latency period.