Rise in X-ray use pushes up exposure to radiation

A RISE in the number of X-rays is fuelling an increase in the amount of radiation people are exposed to each year, experts have warned.

There has been a 140 per cent rise in the use of CT (computerised tomography) scans in the past decade, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA). This has pushed up the annual radiation dose to each member of the public in the UK from all X-rays from 0.33 millisieverts (mSv) in 1997 to 0.4mSv.

However, this level is still within safe limits and is lower than in comparable countries, the HPA said.

The average radiation dose from all sources remains about 2.7mSv per person per year.

Dr John Cooper, director of the HPA's centre for radiation, chemical and environmental hazards, said: "Despite the increased use of diagnostic X-rays in medicine in the UK, the average dose to the population is still considerably lower than in 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.

"Well-framed regulations and guidance exist to maximise the clinical benefit and protect the public and workers.

"Our average annual diagnostic X-ray dose is low. In the US, for example, people are exposed to five times more radiation from these procedures."