What is a characteristic of stochastic effects?

Stochastic effects are characterized by their probabilistic nature, meaning that the likelihood of their occurrence increases with dose, but the severity of the effects does not depend on the dose received. This is a key difference from deterministic effects, where there is a clear relationship between dose and severity, often involving a threshold below which the effect does not occur.

In the case of stochastic effects, even a small dose might lead to an increased probability of developing diseases like cancer or genetic mutations over time, but not every exposed individual will experience these effects. Therefore, students should recognize that it is the statistical nature of these health risks that defines them as stochastic. Understanding this concept is crucial in fields such as radiation protection, epidemiology, and public health, where the risks associated with exposure to certain agents must be evaluated.