UK population dose from medical X-ray examinations

Area of Science:

• Radiological Sciences
• Public Health
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Medical and dental X-ray examinations contribute to population radiation exposure.
• Understanding radiation doses is crucial for public health and safety.
• Previous assessments of radiation doses in the UK are outdated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the annual per capita and collective effective dose from medical and dental X-ray examinations in the United Kingdom.
• To update previous estimations of radiation exposure from diagnostic imaging.

Main Methods:

• Combined frequency data from a 1997/1998 survey with patient effective dose data.
• Updated dose estimations to 2001/2002 using English Department of Health statistics.
• Analyzed contributions from conventional radiography, fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT), and interventional procedures.

Main Results:

• The estimated annual per capita effective dose for the UK population in 2001/2002 was 0.38 mSv.
• Computed tomography (CT) accounts for 47% of the collective dose, more than doubling its contribution over a decade.
• Conventional radiographic and fluoroscopic examinations now contribute approximately 34%, a near halving, while interventional procedures contribute 19%.

Conclusions:

• The UK's annual per capita effective dose of 0.38 mSv is low compared to similarly developed countries.
• Lower frequency of X-ray examinations per capita contributes to the reduced dose.
• Generally lower patient doses in the UK compared to other developed nations also play a significant role.