Are x-rays safe?
The x-rays delivered to a patient during a typical diagnostic imaging exam are safe, and educated radiologic technologists use the lowest dose possible to achieve a quality image. In addition, new techniques and equipment are continuously being developed to decrease the total amount of radiation received by the patient. For example, modern mammography equipment, operated by trained technologists, delivers 1/40th the amount of radiation used 20 years ago. X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation. Radiation is a frightening word to most people, but it’s important to remember that radiation is natural. Sources of naturally occurring “background radiation” are the atmosphere, the earth’s crust and cosmic rays. The average American is exposed to about 3 millisieverts (mSv) of background radiation from his or her environment, yearly. Those who live at high altitudes, where the atmosphere is thinner, are exposed to more. By comparison, a typical dental x-ray exposes a patient to approxi
The x-rays delivered to a patient during a typical diagnostic imaging exam are safe, and educated radiologic technologists use the lowest dose possible to achieve a quality image. In addition, new techniques and equipment are constantly being developed to decrease the total amount of radiation received by the patient. For example, modern mammography equipment, operated by trained technologists, delivers 1/40th the amount of radiation used 20 years ago. X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation. Radiation is a frightening word to most people, but it’s important to remember that radiation is natural. Sources of naturally occurring “background radiation” are the atmosphere, the earth’s crust and cosmic rays. Annually, the average American is exposed to about 3 millisieverts (mSv) of background radiation from his or her environment. Those who live at high altitudes, where the atmosphere is thinner, are exposed to more. By comparison, a typical dental x-ray exposes a patient to approxi
The x-rays delivered to a patient during a typical diagnostic imaging exam are safe, and educated radiologic technologists use the lowest dose possible to achieve a quality image. In addition, new techniques and equipment are continuously being developed to decrease the total amount of radiation received by the patient. For example, modern mammography equipment, operated by trained technologists, delivers 1/40th the amount of radiation used 20 years ago. X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation. Radiation is a frightening word to most people, but it’s important to remember that radiation is natural. Sources of naturally occurring “background radiation” are the atmosphere, the earth’s crust and cosmic rays. The average American is exposed to about 3 millisieverts (mSv) of background radiation from his or her environment, yearly. Those who live at high altitudes, where the atmosphere is thinner, are exposed to more. By comparison, a typical dental x-ray exposes a patient to approxi
