Radiation-induced performance decrement.

This article is a brief review of performance decrement expected after low-level radiation doses (0.70 Gy or less) and after higher radiation doses. Examples are presented from both animal and human data. The data indicate that low-level radiation doses in humans are not expected to degrade performance on the battlefield. Doses higher than 1.25 Gy are likely to degrade performance. Transient performance deficits known as early transient incapacitation observed in animals and humans after large, rapidly delivered doses of ionizing radiation are discussed.