EXPOSURE OF PATIENT AND PHYSICIAN BY DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC DEVICES

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1962 · Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine (U.S.)

OSTI ID:4759469

Simon, N

It is estimated that the average gonadal dose of the population from radiotherapy is about 1% of the gonadal dose due to diagnostic x rays. However, evidence indicates that radiation effects on genes cause a proportional mutating effect no matter how low the dose. Estimations of gonad dose from diagnostic x- ray exposure suggest the average dose ranges from 16 to 170 millirad per yr, just about the same as natural background. The doubling dose for mutations is estimated to be about 50 rad while medicai x ray gives the gonads only 3 rad (100 mrad per yr for 30 yr). It is also estimated that only about 10% of congenital deformities could be due to radiation; some mutations caused by radiation wili prevent reproduction and never manifest a deformity. It was concluded that modern diagnostic x-ray examinations of patients cause no reported, discernible somatic effect, and the threshold for the effects may be even higher than the doses received with diagnostic x rays. Genetic effects may, however, occur from gonadal radiation, and for that reason it is necessary to minimize gonadal radiation. (P.C.H.)

• Research Organization: Mount Sinai Hospital, New York
• NSA Number: NSA-17-012504
• OSTI ID: 4759469
• Journal Information: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine (U.S.), Journal Name: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 38; ISSN BNYMA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BODY
DIAGNOSIS
GENETICS
GONADS
HEALTH AND SAFETY
MAN
MUTATIONS
PERSONNEL
POPULATIONS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOGRAPHY
RADIOTHERAPY
REPRODUCTION
THRESHOLD ENERGY
X RADIATION