Radiation Injury

an injury, caused by ionizing radiation and some kinds of nonionizing electromagnetic radiation (infrared, ultraviolet), that is strictly confined to a given organ, tissue, or system.

The term “radiation injury” generally refers to local injury resulting from the biological effect of ionizing radiation. Wide-spread injury from ionizing radiation that is accompanied by systemic disturbances gives rise to radiation sickness. Injury from infrared radiation is caused by thermal action and is manifested by thermal burns and overheating. Ultraviolet radiation has a mainly chemical effect. Radiation injury from light beams emitted by lasers is characterized principally by burns of the retina and skin.