Which of the following statements about radiation exposure is true?

Radiation effects being cumulative over time is a well-established principle in radiobiology. This means that the effects of radiation exposure are not just a matter of a single dose; rather, they accumulate with multiple exposures over time, increasing the risk of adverse health effects such as cancer. For example, even low doses of radiation can have a cumulative effect, leading to a greater overall risk, especially when individuals are exposed repeatedly over their lifetime.

Understanding that radiation exposure is cumulative highlights the importance of monitoring and limiting exposure during procedures, even if each individual exposure might seem low or manageable. It reflects the necessity for safety protocols in medical imaging and radiation therapy to minimize risk over time.

The other statements present aspects that could be misleading or not entirely accurate. For instance, while some levels of radiation do have medical benefits (as in diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment), not all radiation exposure is automatically harmful. Moreover, radiation can affect not only the cells directly exposed but also neighboring cells through various biological processes.