A reappraisal of the genetic consequences of diagnostic radiology in Great Britain

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Abstract
The National Radiological Protection Board [UK] reappraised the annual genetically significant dose (GSD) to the population of Great Britain arising from the practice of diagnostic radiology. The current value of 120 .mu.G.gamma. [Gray] (12 mrad) was indistinguishable from the value determined 20 yr ago despite a 48% increase in the number of X-ray examinations performed per head of the population. This was mostly due to a large decrease in the contribution from obstetric radiology and to a marked reduction in the gonadal doses delivered to children for nearly all types of examination. The GSD and frequency of X-ray examinations in Great Britain would appear to be lower than those found in other industrialized countries and seem unlikely to result in > 100 cases of serious hereditary ill-health/yr at genetic equilibrium. Diagnostic radiology was responsible for 87% of the GSD from all man-made sources of population exposure in Great Britain and there was evidence from the data collected for this reappraisal that radiological protection measures could be improved so as to reduce significantly this large contribution without detriment to patient care.

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