Facts and Controversies About Radiation Exposure: Controlling Unnecessary Radiation Exposures (Part 1) And Low-Level Exposures And Cancer Risk (Part 2)

In this 2-part article, the authors address the need to put in perspective the risks of radiation exposure in the rapidly changing field of radiology, considering the current state of knowledge of effects at low levels. The article is based on the content of the refresher course RC 516 presented at the Radiological Society of North America’s 2005 annual meeting.

In part 1, the authors present a brief review of epidemiologic studies, a discussion of typical radiation doses experienced in medicine by both patients and professionals, and the description of practical approaches to reduce unnecessary exposures. Part 2 addresses a special concern for the unborn and discusses advisory and regulatory cancer risk estimates based mainly on epidemiologic studies. The limitations of epidemiologic studies at low-level exposures and recent new findings in radiobiology, some of which are summarized, challenge the notion that any amount of radiation causes adverse effects.

Strzelczyk J, Damilakis J, Marx MV, Macura KJ. Facts and Controversies About Radiation Exposure, Part 1: Controlling Unnecessary Radiation Exposures
Volume 3, Issue 12, Pages 924-931 (December 2006) http://www.jacr.org/article/PIIS1546144006003978/abstract

Strzelczyk J, Damilakis J, Marx MV, Macura KJ. Facts and Controversies About Radiation Exposure, Part 2: Low-Level Exposures and Cancer Risk Volume 4, Issue 1, Pages 32-39 (January 2007) http://www.jacr.org/article/PIIS154614400600398X/abstract