Which individual is at a higher risk of experiencing deterministic effects?

The individual receiving high radiation doses is at a higher risk of experiencing deterministic effects due to the nature of how radiation impacts biological tissues. Deterministic effects, also known as non-stochastic effects, are those that have a threshold dose below which they do not occur, and above which their severity increases with the dose. Common examples include skin burns, cataracts, and radiation sickness.

When a person is exposed to high doses of radiation, the damage to cells and tissues becomes significant, potentially leading to serious health issues. This is especially critical because the effects are immediate or occur within a short time frame following exposure, depending on the dose received. This contrasts with lower doses, where the likelihood of experiencing these effects diminishes significantly.

In contrast, healthy adults, children with low exposure, or individuals who avoid radiation altogether are less likely to encounter deterministic effects, as their exposure levels do not reach the thresholds necessary for such effects to manifest. Thus, those receiving high radiation doses represent the group most susceptible to these direct effects of radiation.