Radiation Exposure in the United States

Gonad Dose During Routine Roentgenography

“…Nevertheless, not only are the distributions quite variable from hospital to hospital, as can be seen in Table IV, but they may change with time as well. The data collected by Moeller et al (8), showing that the sale of x-ray film more than doubled in the decade from 1939 to 1949, is an index to the way the statistics of the distribution of roentgenographic examinations may be changing. Even allowing for the large uncertainty in the statistics used, however, it does not seem likely that, at this time, the contribution of routine roentgenography to the gonad dose received through the age of thirty is more than 25 per cent of that accumulated from the natural background radiations.…”

Findings of a Survey of X-Ray Units: Oregon's Radiological Health Program

“…Radiologists and hospitals in which the X-ray work is under the direction of radiologists lhad much higher scores thain most other groups surveyed on a majority of the items pertinent to radiological protection. 3. Personnel exposure appears to be fairly well under control thouglh film badges should be used much more widely for documentation of exposure.…”

“…In an office using the X-ray unit for only a few limb or chest exposures a week, for example, special added personnel protection devices might not be considered necessary. The low level of exposure under these conditions has been substantiated by experience with film badges as reported in the literature (3)(4)(5). Thus, the high score attained by certain clashes of practitioners may reflect the lack of need for such devices rather than the actual availability of personnel shielding.…”

“…Represents nearly 25 percent of the estimated total of X-ray units in the State. 2 Smaller towns included Oregon City, The Dalles, Bend, Burns, Seaside, Woodburn, and others 3. The best estimates of actual weekly caseload in the entire State are 50,000-60,000 radiographic examinations per week and 5,000-6,000 fluoroscopic examinations per week.4 Inadequate data.…”

Reactor-Produced Radioactive Isotopes: Radiation Exposure in the United States

“…The enormous potency of very small amounts within the body is emphasized by the recommended standards (6), which are summarized in table 1. Since the determination of the amount of radioactive material within a person's body is, at present, a complicated procedure, few data Radioactive isotopes are being used in a variety of research problems, in radiography, and in such testing and measuring devices as tlhickness and liquid level gauges (2). The principal radioisotopes used in industry, some of their properties, and examples of their use are listed in table 2.…”