Final answer:
Whole body irradiation can cause bone marrow syndrome, which includes myelosuppression, bone marrow failure, and other hematologic toxicities, potentially leading to aplastic anemia and even the induction of leukemia. Radiation can lead to permanent sterility in women, temporary sterility in men, and significant changes in blood counts. High doses can be fatal due to the destruction of bone marrow and intestinal lining.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whole body irradiation - hematopoietic/bone marrow syndrome can manifest as a variety of conditions including myelosuppression (a), bone marrow failure (b), hematologic toxicity (c), and potentially leukemia induction (d). This syndrome occurs when the entire body is exposed to significant levels of ionizing radiation, which can lead to a myriad of health issues due to the damage to bone marrow and other rapidly dividing cells such as those in the gastrointestinal tract, hair follicles, and reproductive organs. Radiation can specifically cause permanent sterility in women, temporary sterility in men, as well as a temporary reduction in white blood cell count leading to immune system suppression.
Aplastic anemia is a condition that may occur as a result of radiation exposure, since it can be triggered by radiation in addition to medication, chemotherapy, or infection. It is characterized by an insufficient number of red blood cell (RBC) stem cells. Moreover, long-term exposure to radiation has been shown to cause possible chromosomal damage and an increased likelihood of genetic mutations, affecting the overall health of an individual.
High doses of radiation are particularly fatal, causing the destruction of bone marrow and intestinal lining which can lead to death within hours or within 30 days for 50% of affected individuals, known as the LD50/30. Even at lower doses, radiation can cause significant changes in blood counts that compromise the immune system, which is a key clue to radiation exposure.