What is meant by "radiation-induced injury"?

"Radiation-induced injury" specifically refers to damage caused to tissue or organ systems as a result of exposure to ionizing radiation. This type of radiation carries enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, creating ions, which can then lead to various health effects. These injuries can manifest as acute radiation syndrome after high-level exposures or as stochastic effects, such as cancer, after lower doses. Ionizing radiation affects biological tissues by disrupting molecular structures, which can ultimately result in cell death or malfunction.

In contrast, the other choices focus on different types of radiation or scenarios. Non-ionizing radiation does not have enough energy to ionize atoms, hence injuries from such exposure would not be classified as radiation-induced in the same context. Additionally, a temporary condition requiring no treatment does not align with the severity or possible long-term implications of ionizing radiation exposure. Lastly, injuries stemming from equipment malfunction would typically be categorized under workplace safety incidents rather than radiation hazards specifically.