Final answer:
After a hand has been exposed to radiation, the most significant concern is an 2. increased risk of cancer, due to the disruption of cell regulatory processes and the cumulative effects of radiation exposure, confirmed by studies on exposed populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The significant concern after a hand has been exposed to radiation is the increased risk of cancer. Exposure to radiation can disrupt the regulatory processes that control cell growth, leading to uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. While acute exposure can cause immediate effects such as skin burns and nausea, the long-term effects include not only an increased risk of cancer but also genetic defects.
This is because the effects of radiation are cumulative and there is limited capacity for self-repair in the body's cells. Studies on survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as other exposed groups, have confirmed the elevated risks of cancer due to radiation exposure.After a hand has been exposed to radiation, the most significant concern is an 2. increased risk of cancer, due to the disruption of cell regulatory processes and the cumulative effects of radiation exposure, confirmed by studies on exposed populations.