Radiation risks for patients having X rays

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Nurse Pract. (Trenton); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00006205-198512000-00005· OSTI ID:5488476

Hale, J; Thomas, J W

In addition to radiation from naturally occurring radioactive materials and cosmic rays, individuals in developed countries receive radiation doses to bone marrow and gonads from the medical diagnostic use of X rays. A brief discussion of radiation epidemiology shows that deleterious effects are low even when doses are high. The concept of acceptable risk is introduced to help evaluate the small, but still existent, risks of radiation dose. Examples of bone marrow and gonadal doses for representative X-ray examinations are presented along with the current best estimates, per unit of X-ray dose, of the induction of leukemia or of genetic harm. The risk to the patient from an examination can then be compared with the normal risk of mortality from leukemia or of the occurrence of genetic defects. The risk increase is found to be very low. The risks to unborn children from radiographic examinations are also discussed. The benefit to the patient from information obtained from the examination must be balanced against the small risks.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
• OSTI ID: 5488476
• Journal Information: Nurse Pract. (Trenton); (United States), Journal Name: Nurse Pract. (Trenton); (United States) Vol. 12; ISSN NRPRD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DOSES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
PATIENTS
PREGNANCY
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIATIONS
RADIOLOGY
RISK ASSESSMENT
X RADIATION