Acute radiation exposure (more than 1,000 rads) to a small, localized part of the body. Most local radiation injuries do not cause death. However, if the exposure is from penetrating radiation (neutrons, x-rays, or gamma rays), internal organs may be damaged and some symptoms of acute radiation syndrome (ars), including death, may occur. Local radiation injury invariably involves skin damage, and a skin graft or other surgery may be required. See also cdc’s fact sheet “acute radiation syndrome” at http://emergency.cdc.gov/radiation/ars.asp.