Why does radiation destroy DNA and white blood cells?

Question

Why does radiation destroy DNA and white blood cells?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

Ionizing radiation (high energy ultraviolet, xrays, gamma rays, and nuclear particle radiation) has enough energy to remove electrons from atoms. This causes chemical reactions. The chemical reactions can damage human cells and DNA or cause mutations.

Note that *non-ionizing radiation* like radio, microwave, infrared, and visible is not capable of doing this.