Is there a threshold dose for deterministic effects?

The assertion that there is a threshold dose for deterministic effects is accurate because deterministic effects are those effects that typically have a clear dose-response relationship. This means that below a certain level of exposure, these effects do not occur. This threshold exists because the body can often repair damage at lower levels of exposure or might not incur enough damage to trigger a noticeable effect.

Deterministic effects, such as skin burns or radiation sickness, become more severe as the dose increases. The existence of a threshold implies that there is a specific dose level; when the dose is below this threshold, the likelihood of experiencing these effects is essentially zero. Once the threshold is crossed, the probability and severity of the effects increase with the dose.

In situations where individuals are exposed to high enough doses of radiation or other harmful materials, the severity of the effects becomes more predictable, aligning with the idea of dose dependence. Therefore, option B correctly captures the principle that there is a level below which deterministic effects do not arise.