Which type of anemia is most likely caused by overexposure to ionizing radiation?

Aplastic anemia is the type of anemia most closely linked to overexposure to ionizing radiation. This condition arises when the bone marrow fails to produce adequate amounts of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Ionizing radiation can damage the stem cells in the bone marrow, leading to a significant reduction in blood cell production and, consequently, anemia, increased risk of infections, and bleeding tendencies due to low platelet counts.

In contrast, iron-deficiency anemia typically results from insufficient iron intake or absorption, leading to a lack of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Hemolytic anemia involves the premature destruction of red blood cells, which can be caused by various factors but not primarily by ionizing radiation. Mineral deficiency anemia can arise from inadequate levels of certain minerals necessary for blood cell production but is not directly associated with radiation damage to the bone marrow. Thus, the unique damaging effects of ionizing radiation on bone marrow stem cells specifically make aplastic anemia the most relevant condition in this context.