At what age is the sensitivity to radiation exposure notably higher?

Sensitivity to radiation exposure is notably higher in infancy and childhood due to several factors. During these early stages of life, individuals are undergoing rapid cellular division and growth, which makes their tissues more susceptible to the damaging effects of radiation. Children have a larger proportion of actively dividing cells compared to adults, which increases the likelihood of radiation-induced mutations. Furthermore, the developing organs and systems in young children are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of radiation, which can lead to increased risks of cancer and other long-term health effects.

As individuals age, their tissues become more differentiated and the rate of cell division decreases, which generally leads to a lower sensitivity to radiation. In adulthood and old age, while there are still health risks associated with radiation exposure, the effects are often less pronounced than in younger populations, owing to the established resilience of mature biological systems. Thus, understanding the heightened vulnerability of infants and children is crucial for effective radiation protection measures.