Which of the following effects is most likely to occur at low doses of radiation?

Cancer is indeed the effect most likely to occur at low doses of radiation. When individuals are exposed to low levels of radiation, the risk of developing cancer can increase due to the potential for damage to cellular DNA. This damage can lead to mutations which, over time, may result in the uncontrolled cell growth characteristic of cancer.

The development of cancer as a consequence of low-dose radiation exposure is often seen as a stochastic effect, meaning that as the dose increases, the probability of cancer increases, but the severity of the cancer does not depend on the dose.

In contrast, effects like hair loss, skin burns, and cataracts typically occur at higher doses or with certain types of radiation exposure over a shorter period of time. Hair loss and skin burns are more immediate effects associated with higher doses, while cataracts might develop due to higher cumulative doses over time or certain types of radiation exposure, making them less likely to manifest from low-dose exposures. Thus, cancer is the most insidious and consequential outcome associated with low levels of radiation exposure.