How much x-ray is too much?

Question

Interested in the maximum amounts of safe x-ray exposure in the hospital setting for occupationally exposed employees?

Answer 1

When you glow or...

X-rays are a form of energy that's absorbed in your body. Large amounts of radiation have been shown to be associated with cancer and changes in chromosomes. In the head and neck, areas exposed to dental radiation, X-rays increase the risk of damage to or cancer of the lens of the eye, thyroid, salivary glands, bone marrow and skin.

No one knows the exact effects of low-dose radiation, which is the type used in dental X-rays. However, the effects of radiation exposures are cumulative, meaning the effects depend on the total amount you have absorbed in your life. The small amount of radiation exposure that a patient receives from dental X-rays has never been proven to cause cancer of the lens of the eye, thyroid, salivary glands, bone marrow or skin. Nevertheless, every little bit counts.

Answer 2

Radiation abosorption is specific to the individual unfortunately. X-ray and MRI scans are all proven carcinogenic frequencies. These energies are monitored by hospital workers with radiation detection badges. If the radiation detection badge absorbs to much radiation the worker gets to take a week or two off work to let themselves try and repair from the damages they have occured. Single and Double strand DNA breaks are of major concern in this topic. So how much is safe? No exposure at all is safe. After that it is based on individual health situations and how your body can respond to its damaging energy. Over a MilliRem of radiation a year is considered over average and the detection badges at hospitals also measure for millirem levels and if it shows over 1. They understand the person could be in danger. For more info check out http://www.emfscience.net Radiation and EMF website full of info.

Answer 3

Radiation is a frightening word to many people, but humans are exposed to different forms of radiation every day. Sources of radiation include cosmic rays from the sun, radioactive elements in the earth's crust and even radioactive elements in our bodies. Natural sources contribute approximately 82% of the annual radiation dose to the U.S. public.

Medical uses of radiation, such as x-rays and nuclear medicine procedures, represent most of the exposure to artificial or man-made radiation. Each year, the average American is exposed to about three millisieverts (mSv) of naturally occurring “background radiation” from his or her environment. By comparison, a typical dental x-ray exposes a patient to approximately 0.06 mSv, a chest x-ray delivers 0.08 mSv and a mammogram delivers about 1.0 mSv.

X-rays are a form of “ionizing” radiation. When this type of radiation passes through living cells, ions are formed that react with other atoms in the cell, causing damage. With low doses of radiation, cells repair the damage quickly. Although we have no direct evidence that small doses of radiation are harmful, the medical community operates under the assumption that any exposure, no matter how small, carries some potential for biological damage.

Any potential risk associated with radiation exposure should be balanced against the potential benefits of the examination. For example, early detection of breast cancer far outweighs the very small risk associated with radiation exposure from a mammogram.

Radiation protection includes those practices and devices that limit exposure to ionizing radiation. Qualified radiologic technologists are educated in radiation safety and protection and use techniques to minimize dose and exposure. That's why it's important to ensure that your medical imaging examination is performed by a radiologic technologist who is nationally certified or licensed by the state. In addition, new techniques and equipment are continually being developed to decrease the total amount of radiation received by the patient.

Certain organs are “radiosensitive,” which means they are more sensitive to the effects of radiation exposure than other parts of the body. Those organs, including the thyroid gland and the male and female reproductive organs, usually are shielded when they are in the path of the x-ray beam. Shields commonly are made of lead strips or materials saturated with lead, which block the x-rays. Because a developing fetus also is radiosensitive, pregnant women should seek a physician's advice before undergoing an x-ray examination. If you must remain in the room with a child or other family member during an exam, ask about shielding for yourself.

Radiation protection extends to medical imaging professionals as well. Although the radiation dose for each examination is relatively small, the total dose to medical professionals can add up over time. Many state and federal regulations strictly limit the total dose that people working with radiation can receive. Before the radiologic technologist makes an exposure, he or she will move to a shielded control booth or behind a protective barrier. Lead aprons protect technologists who must remain in the examination room with the patient.

Answer 4

It really depends on your body. Different cell makeups will result in different reactions to certain types of electromagnetic waves. Generally, it would take a lot of x-rays to actually cause a large number of cell mutations, but there's always exceptions to the rule. It's probably best to avoid it when possible, but don't be too worried (there's more danger in being over exposed to UV rays than x-rays!)

Answer 5

You should only have an x-ray once a year, twice at the maximum(at least an interval of 6 months). Otherwise your lungs will be in danger of over exposure to radiation which may cause lung disease.

Answer 6

Xrays have been proven to give you cancer... dont you notice the doctor leave the room or stand behind a wall everytime you get one taken...

I wouldnt do more then 2 a year... beware of dentists they always want to take xrays, they are just money hungry

Answer 7

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ no, i have an xray about every 3 mos. they are not at all dangerous^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ just ask nurses.... duh

There is not enough time for radiation buildup in the system to be of any danger. Your body gets rid of the radiation before it reaches a dangerous level in your body.