Use of X-rays 'risen significantly in past decade'
Tuesday 4th January 2011
Use of X-rays in the UK over the last ten years has risen substantially, according to a new report by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
Radiation scientists at the agency have found that approximately 46 million medical and dental X-ray exams were carried out across the UK in 2008, which shows a ten per cent increase since 1997.
It was found that the average annual radiation dose to each individual in the UK has increased from 0.33 millisieverts (mSv) in 1997 to 0.4 mSv.
Dr John Cooper, director of the HPA's Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, said that despite the rise, the UKs average dose is still a lot lower than that in many comparable countries.
"This is because in the UK we carry out fewer X-ray examinations per head of population and because radiology departments are well managed by healthcare professionals," he explained.
According to the NHS, the ionising radiation seen in X-rays is only dangerous when a person is exposed to a significantly high amount.
Written by Angela Newbury
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