What is the main characteristic of stochastic effects?

The main characteristic of stochastic effects is their random occurrence. Stochastic effects are those biological effects of radiation that occur by chance and are not directly related to the dose received. The probability of these effects occurring increases with higher doses of radiation, but the severity of the effects does not depend on the dose. This is in contrast to deterministic effects, which have predictable outcomes and a threshold level of dose below which the effect does not occur. Stochastic effects are often associated with the risk of developing cancer or genetic mutations and highlight the unpredictable nature of radiation exposure outcomes.