Cite this article as:
Davis, T. Levels of radiation from imaging, Don't Forget the Bubbles, 2013. Available at: http://doi.org/10.31440/DFTB.1074
Typical Effective Dose (mSv)
Number of chest X-rays (PA film) for Equivalent Effective Dose
Time Period for Equivalent Effective Dose from Natural Background Radiation
Airline flight
0.02
1
2.4 days
Chest x-ray (PA film)
0.02
1
2.4 days
Skull x-ray
0.1
5
12 days
Lumbar spine
1.5
75
182 days
IVU
3
150
1 year
Upper GI
6
300
2 years
Barium enema
8
400
2.7 years
Head CT
2
100
243 days
Chest CT
5
250
1.7 years
Abdo CT
8
400
2.7 years
Average effective dose in millisieverts (mSv) as compiled by Fred A. Mettler, Jr., et al., “Effective Doses in Radiology and Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine: A Catalog,” Radiology Vol. 248, No. 1, pp. 254-263, July 2008.
Based on the assumption of an average “effective dose” from chest x ray (PA film) of 0.02 mSv.
Based on the assumption of an average “effective dose” from natural background radiation of 3 mSv per year.
Levels of radiation from imaging
Davis, T. Levels of radiation from imaging, Don't Forget the Bubbles, 2013. Available at:
http://doi.org/10.31440/DFTB.1074
References