Science for Democratic Action vol.
Deterministic effects appear if a minimum radiation dose is exceeded.
Above that threshold, the effects are readily observed in most or all exposed people and the severity increases with dose. The occurrence and severity of a deterministic effect in any one individual are reasonably predictable. A radiation burn is an example of a deterministic effect. In adults, nonstochastic effects dominate when the dose to the entire body is more than about one sievert. An exception is temporary sterility in the male, which can occur with a single absorbed dose to the testis of about 0.15 grays.