Which radiant energy has the potential to cause cancer with sufficient exposure?

Which radiant energy has the potential to cause cancer with sufficient exposure?

• A. Ultraviolet
• B. Infrared
• C. Radio Waves
• D. Sound Waves

Answer: (A)

Ultraviolet radiation has enough energy per photon to damage DNA, creating mutations that can lead to cancer when exposure is sustained. This DNA damage is the reason why sun exposure and artificial tanning are linked to skin cancers; UV-induced lesions, like thymine dimers, can persist if not properly repaired, accumulating over time. Infrared energy primarily produces heat and doesn’t typically damage DNA in a way that leads to cancer. Radio waves and sound waves carry far less energy and do not cause the kind of DNA mutations associated with cancer under normal exposure. So, ultraviolet radiation is the form of radiant energy most associated with cancer risk when exposure is sufficient.

Ultraviolet radiation has enough energy per photon to damage DNA, creating mutations that can lead to cancer when exposure is sustained. This DNA damage is the reason why sun exposure and artificial tanning are linked to skin cancers; UV-induced lesions, like thymine dimers, can persist if not properly repaired, accumulating over time. Infrared energy primarily produces heat and doesn’t typically damage DNA in a way that leads to cancer. Radio waves and sound waves carry far less energy and do not cause the kind of DNA mutations associated with cancer under normal exposure. So, ultraviolet radiation is the form of radiant energy most associated with cancer risk when exposure is sufficient.