What is a key characteristic of thermal radiation that affects explosion risks?

Thermal radiation is a form of energy transfer that can have significant implications for explosion hazards. One of its key characteristics is that it may ignite surrounding combustible materials. This occurs because thermal radiation can heat objects from a distance, potentially raising their temperature to a point where they reach their ignition temperature. If flammable materials are nearby, they can catch fire as a result of the heat-induced by the thermal radiation, leading to an explosion risk.

The other options do not accurately address the implications of thermal radiation in the context of explosion hazards. For instance, while thermal radiation can be felt as heat, it does not have a scent and thus cannot be detected by smell. Additionally, thermal radiation does not dissipate quickly; it can travel considerable distances without a rapid loss of intensity, and it is indeed visible under certain conditions, contradicting the idea that it can only be felt, not seen.