What term describes the harmful effects of radiation that diminish the quality of life of an individual?

The term that describes the harmful effects of radiation that diminish the quality of life of an individual is indeed somatic effect. Somatic effects refer to changes that occur in an individual's body as a response to exposure to radiation. These effects can lead to various health issues, such as tissue damage, organ dysfunction, and increased likelihood of diseases, thereby impacting the individual's quality of life.

Somatic effects differ from other types of radiation effects, such as genetic effects, which refer to changes that can be passed on to future generations and do not directly impact the individual experiencing the radiation exposure. Understanding these distinctions is important in acknowledging how radiation can affect both individuals and populations over time.