When ionizing radiation causes DNA damage (mutations) in male or female reproductive (“germ”) cells, that damage can be transmitted to the next generation (F1). This is in contrast to mutations in somatic cells, which are not transmitted. Detection of human germ cell mutations is difficult, especially at low doses.

Can you mutate from radiation?

The mutations induced by radiation can also occur spontaneously. When humans are exposed to low doses of radiation, it is difficult to estimate what small increment of mutations is induced by radiation above that from spontaneous background radiation.

Can nuclear radiation cause mutation?

As radioactive material decays, or breaks down, the energy released into the environment has two ways of harming a body that is exposed to it, Higley said. It can directly kill cells, or it can cause mutations to DNA. If those mutations are not repaired, the cell may turn cancerous.