Which of the following statements is true regarding high LET radiation?

High LET (Linear Energy Transfer) radiation is characterized by its ability to transfer a significant amount of energy to the tissues it interacts with. This high energy transfer occurs over a very short distance, which means that particles like alpha particles and heavy ions can cause considerable ionization along their path. When high LET radiation passes through biological tissues, it creates dense ionization clusters that can lead to severe biological effects, including the potential for double-strand breaks in DNA.

Therefore, when considering the impact of high LET radiation on human tissue, the correct assertion is that it transfers more energy to tissue. This is crucial in radiation protection as it underscores the increased potential for biological damage and the corresponding need for stringent protective measures when dealing with such radiation types.

In contrast, lower LET radiations (like X-rays and gamma rays) tend to spread their energy transfer over a greater distance, resulting in less ionization density and thus generally less biological damage, which is why high LET radiation is often considered more hazardous.