How Much Radiation in an X Ray: Understanding Protection

There are more than 3.5 billion X-ray examinations taking place around the world each year, so there is no denying that this type of radiation procedure is extremely popular. However, the effects of ionizing radiation are well documented as this type of energy is powerful enough to dislodge and affect organic tissue at an atomic level.

How much radiation is in an X-ray exactly? Is this harmful? And, is there a way to protect against this?

In this article we’ll share everything you need to know about X-rays, how much radiation they deposit in the body, and what you should do to protect everyone who is frequently exposed.

How Radiation is Measured

Before discussing how much radiation is in an X-ray, we have to understand the methods used to measure this type of energy. Here’s a list of the most common measuring units and what they are used for.

Sieverts

Sieverts may be the most relevant type of radiation measurement unit for this discussion. Shortened as “Sv” for Sieverts and “mSv” for Millisieverts, this unit is a radiation dose equivalent that measures the biological effect of radiation on human tissue.

Different types of radiation have distinct effects on human tissue, so Sieverts allow medical experts and researchers to assess health risks uniformly.

Gray

Rather than measuring the effects, the measurement unit Gray or “Gy” evaluates the amount of radiation that has been absorbed by a material, including human tissue.

It’s important to note that Grays don’t measure biological impact, just the amount of energy absorbed, so this measurement unit has to be used in unison with others to get a clear medical picture.

Roentgen

The Roentgen or “R” helps determine the amount of radiation exposure in the air, though this unit has been outdated and is normally present in older systems.

One of the main reasons it was phased out and replaced with the Gray and Sievert is because it does not measure radiation absorbed by the human body and other specific biological tissues.

Counts Per Minute and Becquerel

Counts per minute or CPM measures the amount of ionization events occurring in an environment every 60 seconds, and it’s a measurement unit usually present in tools like Geiger counters. That said, it’s not an official measurement unit.

The Becquerel or “Bq” is a similar unit, but it measures radiation decay activity, where 1 Bq is equal to 1 decay event per second.

Monitoring Radiation Exposure

We’re almost ready to find out how much radiation is in an X-ray – the last things we need to cover are the tools used to measure this type of energy.

Dosimeters: Devices that help measure cumulative radiation exposure, and they can consist of film badge, thermoluminescent, and electronic mechanisms.

Geiger-Muller Counters: Pieces of equipment designed to measure radioactivity in a specific area, but note that these can not be used to monitor radiation in tissue.

Ionization Chambers: Chambers often found in medical and research facilities that help get precise radiation dose readings and also have the ability to measure radiation in tissue.

So, How Much Radiation Do X-Rays Deliver?

Now, it’s time to discuss the most important aspect: how much radiation is used in an X-ray? To answer this question, we’ll rely on one of the measurement units we’ve discussed previously, the mSv or Millisievert.

It’s important to note that the average radiation dose we receive from background sources is around 3 mSv.

Now, let’s see how many mSv units each type of image deposits in the body.

Dental X-Ray

Dental X-rays only deposit around 0.005 mSv in the body, so they are not regarded as a high-dosage procedure.

Chest X-Ray

When a patient gets a chest X-ray, this person is exposed to 0.1 mSv, also considered a minimal dose.

Mammogram

Mammograms use a miniscule amount of radiation to get an image of the soft tissue within the skin, leaving behind a mild 0.4 mSv.

Abdominal X-Ray

Abdominal X-rays can touch sensitive organs, bringing exposure levels up to 0.7 mSv, which is already entering a moderate range in terms of radiation absorption.

CT Scan (Head)

A head CT Scan deposits a significant 2.0 mSv in the body, so this type of treatment should only be performed when absolutely necessary.

CT Scan (Abdomen/Pelvis)

A CT Scan of the abdomen or pelvis can leave a whopping 10.0 mSv in the body, so this should also be performed if there is no other alternative.

Why Protection Matters: Safeguarding Against Ionizing Radiation

Now that we know how much radiation is in an X-ray, let’s take a look at some of the reasons why you should protect patients and medical professionals in your facility.

Reduce Negative Health Effects: By providing lead aprons, protective eyewear, and similar equipment, you can help reduce negative health effects associated with radiation exposure.

Adhere to Compliance and Regulations: The right protective equipment will also help ensure that you abide by rules and regulations that help keep the industry safe for professionals and consumers.

Create a Safe Work Environment: Having top-of-the-line gear will help your team feel confident and perform their jobs knowing that their long-term health is in good hands.

Protect Your Patients and Medical Team from X-Ray Exposure

If you are managing a medical or imaging facility that utilizes radiation equipment, then keeping patients and practitioners safe is crucial. In addition to protecting their long-term health, this will also help you avoid legal battles and build a reputation as a reliable healthcare provider.

While radiation may not be among the forms of energy with the highest mSv measures, it can still cause cellular damage and other negative effects if the right protection is not worn. Whether it’s a patient, medical practitioner, or technician, it’s essential that every person exposed to ionizing radiation wears the right type of protection.

Radiation is measured and monitored using a wide range of values, but the most important thing is to safeguard patients and medical professionals to prevent acute and cumulative damage.

If you need help choosing the best leaded aprons and other accessories for your medical facility, contact Barrier Technologies today. We’ve manufactured lead aprons, leaded eyewear, and similar protective equipment for almost two decades.

How Much Radiation is in an X-Ray and Why Protection Matters