2011年10月25日星期二
2011年10月9日星期日
X-ray Health Risks
Many people are concerned about the risks to their health from getting medical x-rays, as well as from working near x-ray machines. Although x-rays have a potential of causing genetic damage and cancer, the chances of being harmed from medical x-rays is extremely small. In fact, natural radiation may pose a greater risk.
A
person can safely get up to 300 simple x-rays a year. CAT scans of body
areas drastically reduce the safety factor, but they are still within
an acceptable range. Yet, it is always good to be on the cautious side
and not receive excessive x-rays unless it is medically necessary.
An x-ray
is high energy electromagnetic radiation that passes through the body.
Metal, bone and dense material block some radiation and that shows up as
shadows on the x-ray film or digital sensor. Once it pass through your,
it is gone. None stays in your body.
Can damage some cells
But
what can happen is that the high energy of the radiation can damage a
very small amount of your body's cells. In most cases, the cells simply
die prematurely. The amount of cell damage from an x-ray is many times less than you get from cosmic radiation you are exposed to when you fly in an airliner.
Some
of the cells may not die, but instead they may have genetic damage done
to them. In an extremely rare situation, that genetic damage can result
in the cell becoming cancerous.
Genetic damage to a reproductive cell
A
greater risk than cancer is a genetic damage to a reproductive cells.
Damage to an ovum in a woman or sperm cells in a man could result in a
deformed baby or a miscarriage. The reason physicians will cover your
private parts with a lead shield is to prevent this damage from
happening. You can get an x-ray in another part of your body, and your reproductive organs will be protected.
Article source :Internet, By Ron , Kurtus.
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